WORK AND PENSIONS

Employment Action Teams

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what eligibility criteria were used to define boundaries in each Employment Action Team area; and how each ward in the local authority of each EAT area scored against those criteria.

Des Browne: During Phase I of the Action Teams for Jobs initiative, Action teams were allowed to focus on pockets of deprivation, often at housing estate level, rather than ward level. This meant that some Local Authority wards with high overall employment rates were still able to receive Action Team help for areas within the ward with lower employment rates.
	In Phase II, a new selection method was developed to decide where Action Teams were located which focused on identifying and tackling low employment rates at ward level. The method used to identify ward employment rates used information from a number of sources such as Office of National Statistics 1998 database information on working age population; benefit administrative data; and data from the Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly. Ward jobless estimates were thus indicative rather than authoritative, but the primary aim was to provide Action Team help to wards with employment rates of 58.5 per cent or below.
	However, a number of wards with higher employment rates were included in Action Teams. In some cases this was to prevent the need to withdraw Action Team services from areas with pockets of extreme deprivation but with a high level of employment at ward level. Some wards with employment rates above the threshold were also included to ensure greater viability for those Action Teams with the attendant benefit for the clients they were serving.
	The available information on the indicative employment rates of all wards in each Action Team area, and identification of wards covered by Action Team activity has been placed in the Library.

Health and Safety

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 13 February 2003, Official Report, columns 962–63W, on health and safety, whether he has received the report from the Health and Safety Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: I have not yet received the report from the Health and Safety Commission on the effectiveness of the current strategy to promote directors' responsibility for health and safety, the success of the voluntary approach and the need for further legislation.

Lone Parents

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to help lone parents back to work.

Des Browne: We have introduced a wide range of initiatives to help lone parents gain independence by moving into work.
	The New Deal for Lone Parents is delivering services tailored to meet the needs of individual lone parents and giving them the skills, support and confidence they need to move into work. By the end of March 2003, it had helped over 193,000 lone parents to find jobs.
	The combination of the child care component of our new Tax Credits and the extra places created through our National Childcare Strategy are making child care affordable and accessible for parents moving into work. Since April, Childcare Partnership Managers have been introduced into every Jobcentre Plus District to work with personal advisers and Local Authorities to ensure that jobseekers with children have access to information on child care provision in their area. Lone Parents can also benefit from payments of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit at pre-work levels for four weeks after starting work to help them through what can be a difficult transitional period.
	We announced a number of measures in Budget 2003 to help lone parents overcome barriers to work. Discovery Week pilots will increase the familiarity of lone parents with the help and support available to them. From 2004 we will also introduce a new mentoring service across the country that is tailored specifically for lone parents. This will be delivered alongside child care taster pilots which allow lone parents to test whether formal child care suits their needs.
	From April 2004, in 12 areas we will pilot a payment of £4 per week for 12 months on top of tax and benefits when the lone parent starts a job of more than 16 hours a week. This will be complemented, in eight pilot areas, by a weekly work search premium payment of £20 on top of benefits for lone parents who have been on income support for more than 12 months and are actively seeking work.
	We have introduced compulsory Work Focused Interviews for lone parents claiming Income Support to ensure that they are aware of the wide range of help they can access to move into work. Through our programmes we are giving lone parents more choices and more help than ever before to move off welfare and into work and this has helped reduce the number of lone parents dependent on Income Support by over 175,000 since May 1997.

Mr. G. E. Morris

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2003, Official Report, column 92W, to the hon. Member for Croydon North, if he will request that the Inland Revenue collaborates with the Child Support Agency to investigate the income tax and child maintenance liabilities of Mr. Graham Edward Morris.

Maria Eagle: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Huw Edwards, dated June 2003
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You ask pursuant to his answer of 16 June, ref. 118072, if he will investigate the income tax and child maintenance liabilities of Mr. Graham Edward Morris.
	As individual cases are confidential I have written to you privately concerning Mr. Morris.

Pensioners

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the additional £100 paid to pensioner households that include someone aged over 80 years will be paid separately from the existing winter fuel payment.

Malcolm Wicks: No. It will be paid in accordance with the rules, which apply to entitlement to the existing winter fuel payment arrangements, subject to satisfying the additional age condition.

CABINET OFFICE

Construction Industry

Brian Cotter: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the work being carried out by his Department to assist regulatory compliance in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Regulatory Impact Unit's Business Regulation Team engages directly with the business community to identify unnecessary or excessive regulatory burdens and works closely with other Government Departments and Agencies to broker reform. The team is built on a core of high quality secondees from industry.
	April's Budget Report set out plans for the Business Regulation Team to investigate regulatory burdens in three sectors, including the construction industry, as part of its 2004 work programme. Preliminary research will begin this autumn.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

CAP Reform

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of CAP reform negotiations upon the (a) timetables for the productions of forms for 2003–04 by the Rural Payments Agency and (b) payments by the Agency.

Alun Michael: Timetables for the production of forms for 2003–04 by the Rural Payments Agency will not be affected by the CAP reform negotiations, as any new schemes do not take effect until 2005. Payments by the Agency will not be affected.

European Councils

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Environment council on 13 June 2003; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting records; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: I represented the UK at Environment council on 13 June 2003. The council reached a provisional political agreement on one important legislative measure and agreed a general approach on another. The council also considered a number of other issues.
	The council reached agreement on a framework for a common position on the Environmental Liability directive. This measure will require polluters to bear the cost of remedying environmental damage, in line with the 'polluter pays' principle. Following intensive negotiation, the agreement reflects key UK concerns. First, there will be no obligation for compulsory financial security (to be reviewed within five years of implementation). Second, Member States will retain discretion to decide whether or not to remedy damage in the absence of the polluter. Third, Member States may choose to allow exception from liability on the basis that operations comply with a permit or were not judged harmful by the best scientific knowledge at the time. Some of the technical detail of the proposal remains subject to further discussions before an agreement is finalised. The text did however include a review of the coverage of damage falling within the scope of international conventions and of GMO damage. It should be noted that the Directive is intended to cover damage caused by the deliberate release or contained use of GMOs.
	Austria and Ireland opposed the agreement because it did not cover nuclear damage, and Germany was also opposed because of disagreement with major features, notably the permit and state of the art exceptions.
	The council also agreed a general approach on gaseous and particulate emissions from non-road mobile machinery. This included an exemption for lifeboat launchers from the scope of the Directive, an issue pressed by the UK in negotiations. I indicated that my intention at this stage was to abstain, pending European Parliamentary consideration, and that I had concerns about the second phase of the proposals. Germany was unable to support the general approach.
	Council debated a decision for establishing a monitoring mechanism for greenhouse gas emissions. I, together with Ministers from a number of other Member States, emphasised the need to clarify Member State and Community responsibilities in implementing certain obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, particularly with respect to establishing the assigned amount, and in exercising certain rights, including participation in the flexible mechanisms. There was general agreement to aim for political agreement in October.
	We also discussed a presentation from the Commission about progress towards its new system for registering and approving Chemicals. Draft proposals are currently subject to an internet consultation by the Commission. Several Ministers emphasised the need to have the right balance in the proposals between environmental protection and industrial competitiveness. The Commission hoped to bring forward its full proposal by October, to enable progress to be made before the European parliamentary elections.
	Together with Denmark, the UK tabled a paper drawing attention to the Commission's Communication on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade and calling for rapid progress on measures to address illegal logging and its associated trade. The council also noted written contributions on the recent Environment for Europe Conference in Kiev, Environmental Technologies, Sustainable Development in an enlarged Union, Natura 2000, vehicle emissions, sensitive sea areas, flood prevention and the herbicide Paraquat.
	The Presidency reported that it had written to key members of the Convention on the Future of Europe, setting out the concerns with the inadequate treatment of the environment in the draft Constitutional Treaty. I circulated a letter to colleagues at council, highlighting my continuing concerns on these points, and about the negative impact of the proposal for a Single Legislative council. The Presidency considered that the latest draft Treaty text on environment and sustainable development was a significant improvement.

Fishing

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Lewes of 1 May 2003, Official Report, column 461W, on the Darwin Mounds, when the consultation on the legislation to apply the Habitats Directive to offshore areas will begin.

Ben Bradshaw: Preparations are under way for a full public consultation to begin in July, with a view to regulations being laid before Parliament during the autumn.

Rural Payments Agency

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the capacity of the Rural Payments Agency to meet the deadline for payments of 30 June; and what steps she is taking to ensure that the deadline is met.

Alun Michael: Balance payments on all the bovine subsidy schemes have been delayed due to the need to implement changes in EU legislation introduced for the 2002 scheme year. These changes introduced new penalty procedures that apply when either the scheme rules or cattle identification requirements have been breached. Before making balance payments the Rural Payments Agency has had to build a new computer database and significantly enhance existing computer systems to cope with the changes. These are complex changes and have taken considerable time to implement. As a result, not all producers will be paid before the 30 June deadline.
	Staff at the RPA continue to work overtime at offices around the country to process as many payments as possible.
	Although the regulations require payments to be made by 30 June, in order to complete the process, the UK and several other member states have made representations to the European Commission for an extension to the EC deadline, due to the introduction of Aggregated penalties.

Senior Departmental Posts

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many senior departmental posts were advertised in each year since June 1999; and how many of these were advertised in the Scottish press.

Alun Michael: The information is as follows:
	(a) Since the formation of Defra the following senior departmental posts were advertised in each year as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 From April 2003 1 
			 April 2002 to April 2003 8 
			 April 2001 to April 2002 7 
		
	
	It would incur disproportionate cost to obtain this information prior to the formation of Defra.
	(b) No senior departmental posts were advertised separately in the Scottish press.

Veterinary Surgeons

Ann Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of veterinary surgeons who will be required over each of the next five years.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 16 June 2003
	No such estimate has been made, but in 2001 the Institute for Employment Studies carried out a modelling exercise for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). This indicated that the requirement for veterinary surgeons in the UK over the next ten years was very sensitive to a number of variables. On several possible scenarios fewer new graduates would be needed each year than now.
	The RCVS has recently asked IES to update the model and the results of this review are expected within the next few months.
	Discussions between Defra and stakeholders in developing the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain have stressed the important role private veterinarians will have in delivering the Strategy.

LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

Official Engagements

Llew Smith: To ask the Leader of the Council if he will make a statement on how he plans to balance his official engagements in the House of Commons with his requirements to be in Wales as Secretary of State for Wales.

Peter Hain: I intend to spend as much time as is necessary to fulfil both my responsibilities as Leader of the House of Commons and as Secretary of State for Wales.

TRANSPORT

Air Traffic Control

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on air traffic control delays at (a) London Heathrow airport, (b) Gatwick airport, (c) Manchester airport, (d) London Stansted airport, (e) Luton airport and (f) Leeds-Bradford airport;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on air traffic control delays at Heathrow airport;
	(3)  how many air traffic control delays to individual aircraft of over (a) 10 minutes, (b) 20 minutes and (c) 30 minutes there have been at Heathrow airport in the last two years.

Tony McNulty: Airport air traffic control services are provided either by the airport operator or by private sector companies under contract to the airport operator. I would expect questions on performance to be directed to the management of the airport or service provider concerned, or their regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority.

Aviation

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what average fare per return journey at 2000 prices is used for each of the examples shown in Table 14.5 of "The Future of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East", for (a) 2000 and (b) 2003.

Tony McNulty: The average fare per return journey at 2000 prices implicit in each of the examples shown in Table 14.5 of "The Future of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East" is the sum of the fare premia for 2030 given in that table, plus an underlying fare in the absence of airport capacity constraints of £258 in 2030. The underlying fare in the year 2030 is calculated by taking a 1 per cent. per annum reduction in real terms over 20 years from a fare in the year 2000 of £312. The latter figure is derived from the International Passenger Survey, taking account of long haul and short haul flights.

Aviation

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will include for approval in the forthcoming White Paper on aviation any proposal which was not presented by his Department for public consultation under SERAS.

Tony McNulty: As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Transport, has made clear on many occasions, we will consider carefully all serious worked-up proposals submitted as responses to the consultation.
	If Government were minded to favour in the proposed air transport White Paper any option or options which had not been presented in the "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom" consultation, there would need to be a further period of consultation on that option or options.

Chancery Lane Derailment

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusion he has reached as to the cause of the Chancery Lane derailment; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: It is hoped that London Underground's final report into the incident will be completed in July and they are committed to making the findings of the report public.

Freight Grants

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 20 June 2003, Official Report, column 446W, on freight grants, what grants to which he refers are made by the Scottish Executive; and what proportion relates to movement within Scotland in each year since 1996 (a) at current prices and (b) at outturn prices.

Tony McNulty: None of the grants referred to was made by the Scottish Executive.
	The following number of cross border Track Access Grants (TAG) was made by my Department or the Strategic Rail Authority in each year.
	
		
			  Number of TAG awards with Scottish element 
		
		
			 1994 0 
			 1995 0 
			 1996 2 
			 1997 1 
			 1998 3 
			 1999 3 
			 2000 0 
			 2001 2 
			 2002 2

Kirkstall Bridge Station

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requests for funding he has received for the construction of Kirkstall Bridge railway station.

Tony McNulty: No such requests have been received.

Mail Transportation

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an environmental impact assessment of Royal Mail's decision to stop transporting its freight by rail.

Tony McNulty: No. The decision is a matter for Royal Mail.

Mersey Tunnels Bill

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on (a) the duration of individual meetings and (b) the total duration of meetings he has held with the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority and Executive to discuss the Mersey Tunnels Bill in the last five years.

Kim Howells: The requested information is not available, as it is not normal departmental practice to record the duration of such meetings.

Mersey Tunnels Bill

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings his Department has had with hon. Members to discuss the Mersey Tunnels Bill.

Tony McNulty: There have been two meetings with hon. Members to discuss the Mersey Tunnels Bill. These were on:
	(a) 17 December 2001 with the hon. Member and the hon. Members for Wirral West (Stephen Hesford) and Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller); and
	(b) 16 July 2002 with the hon. Members for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas), Knowsley North and Sefton East (Mr. George Howarth) and Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Kilfoyle).

Pilots

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to follow the advice of the European Aviation Safety Agency on pilot flying hour limits; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Regulation establishing the European Aviation Safety Agency came into force in September 2002 and the Agency is not yet fully operational. The Regulation requires the Agency to assist the Commission in the preparation of proposals for basic principals, applicability and essential requirements in the field of air operations. This will include the framework for flight time limitations. The Commission proposals will take the form of a draft Regulation which will be subject to the co-decision procedure. Once adopted, the Regulation will be binding on all member states.

Railways

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers travelled to and from Shrewsbury by rail in each year since 1997; how many regular train services were available from Shrewsbury in each year since 1997; and how much was raised in ticket sales at Shrewsbury rail station in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) publishes annual passenger journey figures for each Train Operating Company in its Annual Report, a copy of which is placed in the Library of the House. National figures for timetabled train kilometres and passenger revenue are published in the SRA's quarterly publication, "National Rail Trends", a copy of which is also placed in the Library of the House. These data are not broken down to route level.

Redhill Aerodrome

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assistance his Department is providing to Redhill Aerodrome Ventures in relation to the development of their proposal to establish an international airport at Redhill Aerodrome; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Department has held discussions with several promoters of proposals for new airport capacity that are alternatives to, or variants of, options set out in the Government's consultation document. The aim has been to provide guidance on the methodology used to appraise options in the SERAS study and the information that will be needed by the Department in order to appraise alternative ideas submitted as part of the consultation.
	Where new work on such alternatives has required the involvement of the Department and its consultants—such as traffic forecasting and modelling of economic benefits—the direct costs will be met by the promoter. The cost of appraising alternative schemes will be met by the Department.

Redhill Aerodrome

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contracts have been signed between Halcrow and his Department in relation to the proposal to develop an international airport at Redhill.

Tony McNulty: No contracts have been signed between the Department and Halcrow concerning the proposal by Redhill Aerodrome Ltd. to develop a stand-alone passenger airport.

Redhill Aerodrome

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the meetings which have taken place between his Department and representatives of Redhill Aerodrome Ventures since September 2002; on what dates the meetings took place; and what the purpose of each meeting was.

Tony McNulty: Officials from the Department met representatives of Redhill Aerodrome Ltd. on 12 February and 26 March 2003. The purpose of these technical meetings was to (a) provide guidance on the methodology used to appraise options in the SERAS study and (b) to advise on the type and level of information needed by the Department in order to appraise the alternative option presented by Redhill in their original response to the airports consultation.

Redhill Aerodrome

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received assurances from Redhill Aerodrome Ventures that their proposal to develop Redhill Aerodrome into an international airport could be carried forward with no call on public funds.

Tony McNulty: The Redhill Aerodrome Ltd. response to "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East)", submitted in December 2002, included a statement about the availability of funding. We will make publicly available in due course all responses to the consultation, except those marked confidential. In the mean time publication is a matter for the authors.
	The Government's approach to the funding of future airport development schemes is described in paragraph 15.3 of "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East" consultation document. This states that the Government expect the current pattern of private sector financing to continue and that it does not expect to commit public funds to future airport development.

Road Charging

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the effects of road charging.

Kim Howells: As both the London and Durham schemes have shown, charging can play a role in the management of local congestion. The effects of congestion charging depend upon the design of a scheme, which is a matter for individual local authorities. I have made no assessment of the cumulative effects of such schemes on congestion across the country.

Senior Departmental Posts

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many senior departmental posts were advertised in each year since June 1999; and how many of those were advertised in the Scottish press.

Tony McNulty: The Department for Transport (DfT) was not established until May 2002. In 2002–03, DfT recruited seven senior civil servants by open competition. These posts were advertised in newspapers or magazines with a readership throughout the UK.

Speed Limits

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what circumstances reduced speed limits can be imposed on dual carriageways.

Kim Howells: Local highways authorities can introduce lower speed limits on dual carriageways in accordance with guidance contained in Circular Roads 1/93, such as to improve road safety or for environmental reasons.

Speed Limits

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the Road Traffic Regulations 1984 relating to the exemptions of emergency ambulances from speed limits.

Kim Howells: Ambulances on emergency duty are exempt from speed limit regulations as set out in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. My Department recognises the requirement to keep all its regulations under review and this includes regulations to exempt vehicles from speed limits.

Traffic Commissioners

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many public inquiries have taken place in each year since 1997 under regulations administered by traffic commissioners in (a) Scotland and (b) England and Wales.

Kim Howells: holding answer 30 June 2003
	The number of public inquiries held in Scotland and England and Wales in each year since 1998 for which figures are available are shown in the table. Figures are not available for 1997–98.
	
		
			  Scotland England/Wales 
		
		
			 1998–99 202 1,418 
			 1999–2000 222 1,422 
			 2000–01 163 1,632 
			 2001–02 184 1,514

Transplant Vehicles

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will extend the speeding limit exemption for ambulances to cover transplant vehicles.

Kim Howells: Vehicles used for ambulance purposes are exempt from speed limits when used in an emergency. However the legislation does not contain a definition of what constitutes an ambulance. Whilst other vehicles used to carry human tissue are allowed to use blue lights in an emergency, it would be for a court to decide whether they are permitted to exceed speed limits.
	The Government are therefore considering whether an amendment to legislation is necessary.

Vehicle Excise Duty

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the cost of vehicle excise duty evasion in London, broken down by local authority, in each year since 1997.

Kim Howells: A breakdown of evasion by local authority area could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Figures of evasion in London were given in my previous answer of 25 June. Estimates of the cost of this evasion in London would be £19.4 million in 1999–2000 and £20.6 million in 2002–03. Increase in lost revenue is not as sharp as the increase in evasion because of the reduction in the average value of licenses.

DEFENCE

Arctic

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the agreement reached with the US and Russia in respect of military environmental co-operation in the Arctic.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 30 June 2003
	The United Kingdom formally joined the Arctic Military Environmental Cooperation (AMEC) Programme at a ceremony last week (26 June) together with the other AMEC partner countries, Norway, the Russian Federation and the United States.
	The UK, in cooperation with these partners, will implement practical nuclear clean-up projects focused on naval bases in the north-west region of Russia. Initial UK project plans include submarine dismantling and the design and procurement of submarine float pontoons. AMEC will provide the UK with valuable defence diplomacy and environmental clean-up opportunities within Russia and working with the Russian navy.
	I am able to confirm that the management of these projects will be undertaken by the Department for Trade and Industry as this forms part of the cross-Government approach to issues such as nuclear safety.

Canadian Airspace

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in 2002 the RAF has used Canadian airspace for fast jet training; and what the cost was.

Ivor Caplin: Four exercises involving fast-jet aircraft were undertaken in Canadian airspace during 2002. The United Kingdom has a reciprocal agreement in force with Canada under which we do not pay any fees for using Canadian airspace.

Civil Contingency Unit

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the Civil Contingency Unit for the North East of England have been deployed to Iraq.

Adam Ingram: It is assumed that the hon. Member is referring to the Civil Contingency Reaction Forces (CCRF), introduced as part of the New Chapter to the Strategic Defence Review, of which there are currently two based in the North East of England. CCRF (North), based with the Tyne Tees Regiment at Durham, and CCRF (South), based with the East and West Riding Regiment at Pontefract. The normal establishment of each of these units is 500 personnel.
	The numbers of personnel from each that have been called up for service on Operation TELIC, are as follows: 160 personnel from CCRF (North), which represents less than one third of the total; and 144 personnel from CCRF (South), which represents about one quarter of the force. Although working under current call out notices, not all of these personnel may yet have actually deployed to theatre.
	The SDR New Chapter introduced the requirement to establish one CCRF per regional brigade area, across the Mainland UK. As a result, and despite the fact that some CCRF personnel have been deployed to the Gulf, the required cover is still available to the North East regional brigade.

Defence Medical Services

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new recruits to the Defence Medical Services have been signed up under the Golden Hello scheme; what the comparable inflow rates were for the previous six months; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 18 June 2003
	As at 11 June 2003, three vocationally trained General Medical Practitioners (GMPs) and two consultants had joined the Defence Medical Services (DMS) under the Golden Hello scheme. In addition, six vocationally trained GMPs and one consultant have been accepted into the DMS, but have not yet joined their Service, and 18 GMPs and five consultants are awaiting selection interviews.
	In the six months prior to the introduction of the Golden Hello scheme, two consultants in the eligible specialties were recruited into the DMS.

Defence Procurement

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 20 June 2003, Official Report, column 510W, on defence procurement, what factors underlay (a) the gap between the in service date (ISD) at the time the contract was let and the current estimated ISD and (b) the cost difference for the same period in respect of the (i) Swiftsure and Trafalgar submarines, (ii) Astute submarines, (iii) Typhoon and (iv) ASRAAM and (v) MRA4; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Executive Agencies (Key Targets)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what key targets have been set for (a) the Meteorological Office, (b) the Chief Executive of the Warship Support Agency, (c) the Defence Analytical Services Agency and (d) the Defence Communication Services Agency for Financial Year 2003–04;
	(2)  what performance targets have been set for (a) the Defence Vetting Agency, (b) the Defence Dental Agency, (c) the Defence Estates Agency and (d) the Pay and Personnel Agency for the Financial Year 2003–04;
	(3)  what key targets have been set for (a) the Chief Executive of the Training Group Defence Agency, (b) the Defence Housing Executive, (c) the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency, (d) the Chief Executive of Service Children's Education and (e) the Ministry of Defence Police Agency for the Financial Year 2003–04.

Ivor Caplin: Key targets for Financial Year 2003–04 for the following agencies have previously been announced via a Written Ministerial Statement. I refer the hon. Member to the relevant Official Report:
	Defence Dental Agency, 31 March 2003, Official Report, column 487WS
	Defence Analytical Services Agency, 4 April 2003, Official Report, column 74WS
	Defence Vetting Agency, 28 April 2003, Official Report, column 1WS
	Pay and Personnel Agency, 29 April 2003, Official Report, column 12WS
	Meteorological Office, 11 June 2003, Official Report, column 50WS
	Ministry of Defence Police, 26 June 2003, Official Report, column 49 WS.
	Key targets for the Defence Communication and Services Agency, Defence Estates, Defence Housing Executive, Defence Procurement Agency, RAF Training Group Defence Agency, Warship Support Agency and Service Children's Education are currently being finalised, with the intention of announcing them to the House prior to the summer recess.

Guardsmen Fisher and Wright

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he will take following the declaration of the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal on the application of Mrs. Jean McBride relating to the reasons for retention in service of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has sought Counsel's advice following the recent Court of Appeal Northern Ireland ruling on the Fisher and Wright case. This advice has been received and is currently being considered.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what inspections have been carried out since the end of the invasion of Iraq of dual-use chemical plants built and operated since UNSCOM reported in January 1999 on the destruction of the older chemical plants.

Adam Ingram: A number of chemical plants in Iraq which could be dual use have been visited by Coalition forces since March 2003. Sites are being identified and investigated as information becomes available. Investigations may require more than one visit to certain sites and the process will not be quick. The Government have made clear its determination to assemble evidence of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and we aim to make public our findings where appropriate.

Iraq

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent estimate is of the number of civilians killed in Iraq since 1 January.

Adam Ingram: We have no means of ascertaining the numbers of military or civilian lives lost during decisive military operations in Iraq, although we made every effort to minimise civilian casualties.

Medical Personnel

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British personnel have been seconded to the Iraq survey groups; and what their expertise is.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 19 May 2003
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 23 June 2003, Official Report, column 536W, to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice).
	The Iraq Survey Group will have a changing membership based on the task at hand and will be able to draw upon expertise and personnel as required. Its members will include Service personnel and subject-matter technical experts.

Service Personnel (Deaths)

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many members of Her Majesty's armed forces have died through (a) deaths ruled as self-inflicted, (b) firearms discharge, (c) medical conditions induced by training activities and (d) alcohol-related incidents since 1990;
	(2)  how many firearms deaths among members of the armed forces since 1990 were perceived to be (a) self-inflicted deaths, (b) accidental deaths and (c) other deaths caused by other (i) persons or (ii) persons unknown;
	(3)  how many members of Her Majesty's armed forces have died through non-combat related causes in (a) Great Britain, (b) Northern Ireland, (c) Germany and (d) other overseas postings since 1990;
	(4)  how many members of Her Majesty's armed forces have died through non-natural causes (a) in and (b) in the vicinity of military property since 1990; and what the name of the site was in each case.

Ivor Caplin: The information required is still being collated. When this is complete I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Transport Aircraft

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on chartering transport aircraft in each month since October 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The amounts in cash terms actually paid against submitted invoices for the period October 2001 to March 2003, are as follows:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 October 2001 4.505 
			 November 2001 5.534 
			 December 2001 2.506 
			 January 2002 1.287 
			 February 2002 3.578 
			 March 2002 9.190 
			 April 2002 5.025 
			 May 2002 6.755 
			 June 2002 3.212 
			 July 2002 4.427 
			 August 2002 3.913 
			 September 2002 4.360 
			 October 2002 3.281 
			 November 2002 1.801 
			 December 2002 4.217 
			 January 2003 0.831 
			 February 2003 4.675 
			 March 2003 15.688 
		
	
	Note:
	These figures are provisional and subject to final audit.
	The Ministry of Defence does not necessarily pay the charter fees in the same month as the activity takes place and a direct correlation cannot therefore be drawn month by month between aircraft chartered and costs paid. Neither is there necessarily a particular significance between the fluctuating amounts committed or paid each month.
	Commercial aircraft are chartered by the MOD when required to supplement the strategic aircraft resources of the RAF, particularly when the timescale and size of arising operations overseas necessitate the rapid deployment of equipment in support of United Kingdom expeditionary Forces.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Illiteracy

Keith Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people are illiterate in the United Kingdom.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 30 June 2003
	The International Adult Literacy Survey in 1996 suggested that in Great Britain there are 7.9 million adults aged 1665 who are functionally illiterate. This is equivalent to 22 per cent. of the population aged 1665.
	The Department has commissioned a new representative sample survey of working age adults in England to provide an up-to-date assessment of the scale of literacy and numeracy need. These estimates will be mapped to the new national basic skills standards and will be published in September 2003.

Leading Edge Schools

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received about the criteria for funding Leading Edge Schools; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: My Department has received a small number of letters and phone calls related to the funding criteria for the Leading Edge Programme, most of them general funding inquiries. Each school will receive 60,000 per year to support the development and sharing of innovative teaching practice in partnership with a group of named secondary schools.

Regulatory Bodies

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the (a) number of staff employed by and (b) budget of each regulatory body for which his Department is responsible in each year since 1997.

Charles Clarke: The information requested for Regulatory Bodies is listed as follows.
	
		Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
		
			 Financial year Staff employedat start of the financial year Grant in aid( million) 
		
		
			 1997/98 539 53.0 
			 1998/99 459 52.2 
			 1999/2000 502 57.7 
			 2000/01 434 58.5 
			 2001/02 454 68.6 
			 2002/03 524 76.1 
			 2003/04 548 60.2 
		
	
	The QCA was established on 1 October 1997 from the merger of the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (SCAA) and the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ). The staff figure shown for 1997/98 is that of SCAA and NCVQ combined. The grant in aid figure for 1997/98 is that for SCAA, NCVQ and QCA combined. The grant in aid figure for 2003/04 does not include funding for specific items of work that the QCA may be asked to undertake in the coming year.
	
		General Teaching Council (GTC)
		
			 Year Staff employedat start of the financial year Grant in aid( million) 
		
		
			 2000/01 n/a 4.0 
			 2001/02 68 9.0 
			 2002/03 94 3.7 
			 2003/04 121 1.4 
		
	
	Grant in aid payments to the GTC began in September 2000. Funding in 2000/01, therefore, covers the period September 2000 to March 2001.

Sector Skills Councils

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress the Government are making in establishing sector skills councils.

Ivan Lewis: Good progress is being made in establishing Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). To date there are two fully licensed SSCs and a further 18 in development including the five trailblazer SSCs. I anticipate that the full network of around 25 SSCs will be in place by May 2004.

Truancy

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what action may be taken against parents who knowingly allow and encourage their children to truant from school; and how many parents have had action taken against them since 1997;
	(2)  what measures are in place to ensure that parents who are unable to control whether their children attend school do not have action taken against them.

Ivan Lewis: If a child of compulsory school age who is registered at a school fails to attend regularly at the school then the parent is guilty of an offence under section 444(1) of the Education Act 1996. Sanctions that might be imposed following a conviction under section 444(1) include a parenting order or a fine.
	Since March 2001 there has been a more serious offence where a parent who, knowing that his child is failing to attend regularly at school, fails without reasonable justification to cause him to attend (Education Act 1996 section 444(1A) as amended by the Criminal Justice and Court Service Act 2000). Prosecution under section 444(1A) can lead to a custodial sentence.
	Information about the number of prosecutions under sections 444(1) and 444(1A) is not collected centrally.
	Local education authorities have discretion whether or not to prosecute in individual cases. On conviction, magistrates must consider the aggravating and mitigating factors of the offence before deciding on a sentence.
	Further measures to reinforce parental responsibility for school attendance are being introduced in the Anti-social Behaviour Bill. New parenting contracts will enable formal agreements between parent and school or parent and LEA in which each side sets out the steps they will take to secure an improvement in the child's attendance. Penalty notices will provide an alternative to prosecution and a much quicker and cheaper way of sanctioning parents who are capable of improving their child's school attendance and simply need a reminder of their responsibilities.

Truancy

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent research he has conducted into the percentage of primary school children who play truant without their parents' knowledge.

Ivan Lewis: The Department recently commissioned research into the causes and effects of truancy. The report, Absence from School, Scottish Council for Research in Education, 2003, was published on 29 May.
	The research found that 27 per cent. of the primary pupils interviewed said that they had truanted from school without their parents' knowledge. It is important to note that these findings come from a relatively small sample of local education authorities and are therefore not necessarily representative of the whole country. The national primary school unauthorised absence rate for last year was 0.5 per cent. of half days missed.

Truancy

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on truancy levels for children of (a) primary and (b) secondary school age in March (i) 2002 and (ii) 2003.

Ivan Lewis: Truancy data is collected annually and not broken down into monthly figures. Data for the 2002/03 academic year will be available in the Autumn. The percentage of half days missed due to unauthorised absence in 2001/02 was 0.5 per cent. in primary schools and 1.1 per cent. in secondary schools. These figures have remained consistent since national data was first collected in 1994/95.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to have UK nationals held in custody in Afghanistan returned to the UK for treatment in cases where their medical condition is causing concern; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer of 26 June 2003
	As far as we are aware the Afghan authorities are holding one British national in custody. He is currently receiving medical treatment in hospital. However, the necessary facilities to diagnose his condition do not appear to be available in Afghanistan and, in these exceptional circumstances, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary wrote to the Afghan Foreign Minister on 16 June to request the individual's release so that he could be returned to the UK for the specialist medical attention he appears to require.

British Council

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British born ethnic minority members there are in senior posts of the British Council abroad, indicating the grade and the percentage this represents of all posts.

Chris Mullin: holding answer 30 June 2003
	There are three ethnic minority members of staff in senior British Council posts overseas who are British passport holders. All three are at Band 9, and this represents 3.4 per cent. of all British Council senior posts abroad.

Cyprus

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Cyprus.

Denis MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 4 June 2003, Official Report, column 22WS.

EU Constitution

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the areas of decision-making by unanimity under the present European Community and Union Treaties which transfer to qualified majority voting in the Convention on the draft EU constitution, broken down by article of the draft constitution; what his policy is on the acceptability of each; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: Annex VIII of document number CONV 727/03 of the Convention on the Future of Europe provides a complete list of the legal bases for which the draft EU constitutional treaty proposes changing the adoption procedure. That document is available on the Convention's website (www.european-convention.eu.int) in the Documents section. This Government believe that more QMV is essential to push through our solutions to Europe-wide problems in key areas, such as immigration and asylum. But there are areas in which we would not be prepared to move away from unanimity. Our amendments to the draft Treaty, which indicate our policy, are displayed under the Future of Europe section of the FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk).

EU Constitution

Denzil Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list EU policy items which can now be vetoed by member states and which under the draft EU constitution are made subject to qualified majority voting.

Denis MacShane: Annex VIII of document number CONV 727/03 of the Convention on the Future of Europe provides a complete list of the legal bases for which the draft EU constitutional treaty proposes changing the adoption procedure. That document is available on the Convention's website (www.european-convention.eu.int) in the Documents section.

G8 Declaration (Nuclear Non-proliferation)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on North Korea's breach of its nuclear safeguards agreement, as mentioned in paragraph 7 of the Evian G8 Declaration on Non Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, of 3 June.

Denis MacShane: Under the terms of its safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), North Korea is obliged to allow access by IAEA inspectors to its nuclear facilities.
	In October 2002 North Korea announced that it would restart nuclear activities at its Yongbyon reactor, which had been stopped under the terms of the 1994 Agreed Framework. Subsequent to this announcement North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors who had been in the country to monitor North Korea's compliance with its international obligations and to verify its declarations on past nuclear activity. By restarting activity at Yongbyon without IAEA monitors being present, North Korea is in clear breach of its obligations under the IAEA safeguards agreement and the Agreed Framework.

Government Hospitality

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the budget was for the Government Hospitality Section of the Conference and Visits Group in each of the last 10 years.

Bill Rammell: The Government Hospitality Section (GHS) of Conference and Visits Group (CVG) managed a budget of approximately 0.6 million for the year 200203. This figure has been consistent (ie. between 0.8 million and 0.6 million) since the formation of CVG in 1999. Prior to 1999 the work of the GHS was carried out by the former Government Hospitality Fund; the budget was similar to the current figure.

Guantanamo Bay

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the US about British nationals held in Guantanamo Bay; when he expects them to be charged; what he expects them to be charged with; and what maximum penalty he expects will apply.

Chris Mullin: Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the United States authorities about the British detainees held at Guantanamo Bay.
	We have been informed that the United States authorities have not yet made a decision to charge or release any of the British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are being taken in Iraq to establish (a) security, (b) effective policing and (c) the rule of law.

Adam Ingram: I have been asked to reply.
	Improving the security environment across Iraq remains a key priority for the Coalition Provisional Authority. Coalition forces continue to conduct up to 2,500 daily patrols, about 10 per cent. of which are joint patrols with the Iraqi police, arresting or detaining those suspected of criminal activities, including looting.
	There are now 30,000 operational Iraqi police officers across the country, and the number continues to increase. The Coalition continues its efforts to prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq.
	Courts and prisons are beginning to function. On 17 June, the Coalition Provisional Authority opened a new Iraqi Judicial College and announced the creation of a Judicial Review Committee and the establishment of a Central Criminal Court.

Iraq

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the (a) locations and (b) dates of visits by the survey group in Iraq searching for weapons of mass destruction.

Geoff Hoon: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 April 2003, Official Report, columns 31516W, to the Member for Southport (Mr. Pugh).
	The Coalition has several hundred sites we wish to examine and further sites are being identified as investigations develop. Investigations may require more than one visit to certain sites. The process of visiting and examining the sites and other evidence will not be quick, and the number of sites visited or left to visit is not an indication of the success of the task at hand.
	As the government has already made clear, we will aim to make public our findings where appropriate.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the International Atomic Energy Agency invited the Government to provide evidence to counter the International Atomic Energy Agency conclusion in its 7 March Report to the UN Security Council that the allegations that Iraq sought to procure uranium from Africa were unfounded.

Denis MacShane: No.

Iraq

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the women's organisations which have been invited by the Coalition Provisional Authority to take part in the women's conference in Baghdad in early July.

Bill Rammell: holding answer of 30 June 2003
	The women's conference in early July is being organised by a steering group of Iraqi women. They are leading the event, which the Coalition Provisional Authority is helping to facilitate. Saddam Hussein proscribed, after 1991, all women's NGOs (although those in the Kurdish areas continued to function). Therefore it is predominantly individual women who will participate in this conference, as it will take time for women's groups to emerge in Iraq following the collapse of the former regime.

Iraq

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the terms of reference are of the women's conference organised by the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad in early July.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 30 June 2003
	The one-day women's conference in Baghdad in early July is being organised by a steering group of seven Iraqi women, who were elected by a group of 40 women at a meeting in May to take forward the process. The steering group comprises women from different backgrounds and with varied skills. The Coalition Provisional Authority is helping to facilitate the event. Workshops will focus on gender-related issues for the writing of a new Constitution and legal reform, plus education, health policy and the economy and employment.

Israel

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Israel concerning arbitrary detention of young Palestinians.

Bill Rammell: We have recently raised our concerns about the arbitrary detention of Palestinian minors at the highest levels of the Israeli Government. Israel, like all states, has the right to defend itself against terrorism, but it must act in accordance with international law. Our embassy in Tel Aviv monitor this issue closely, and will continue to do so.
	We remain committed to Quartet-led efforts to ensure implementation of the roadmap leading to the objectives of a two-state solution which will allow Israel and Palestine to live side by side in security and peace.

Kenya

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department is giving to the Kenyan Government to counter the terrorist threat in Kenya.

Chris Mullin: holding answer 30 June 2003
	We are giving the Kenyan Government substantial assistance to help them to counter the terrorist threat. This includes advice and training to improve security at airports, hotels and tourist destinations. We are also working with them to develop a long-term, sustainable strategy. My noble Friend, Baroness Symons discussed this with the Kenyan Minister of Internal Security, Chris Murungaru, when he visited London on 27 June and I discussed it with the Kenyan Vice President on 30 June. Contacts will continue.

Kenya

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will review his Department's travel advice to Kenya.

Chris Mullin: holding answer 30 June 2003
	We keep travel advice under careful review. As the hon. Member may be aware, the travel advice for Kenya was changed on 26 June and the warning against non-essential travel was removed. The new advice makes clear that there is a high threat from terrorism in Kenya and British nationals should remain vigilant at all times.

Kenya

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British High Commission in Nairobi has taken action regarding reported killings of Sudanese refugees in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya.

Chris Mullin: holding answer of 30 June 2003
	The British High Commission in Nairobi is aware of ethnic clashes in the area of the Kakuma refugee camp. We understand that violence broke out between Toposa (Sudanese) refugees and local Turkana (Kenyan) people after the alleged theft of cattle stock by the Toposa. The situation is now stable, although tensions remain. The High Commission is monitoring the situation.

Kenya

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security risk to UK subjects (a) resident in Kenya and (b) travelling to Kenya.

Chris Mullin: As the current Travel Advice for Kenya makes clear, there is a high threat from global terrorism in Kenya. However, the warning against non-essential travel has now been removed although UK nationals, whether residents or visitors, should remain vigilant in public places and tourist sites.

Krishna Maharaj

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Krishna Maharaj, a UK national, was arrested in Florida; and when the Consular service was officially informed of his arrest by (a) the Federal Authorities, (b) the State and (c) the local authorities.

Chris Mullin: Mr Krishna Maharaj was arrested on 16 October 1986 in Miami, Florida. Our consular officials in the USA were never officially informed of Krishna Maharaj's arrest by any Federal, State or local authorities.
	Our consular staff in Atlanta first became aware of Mr. Maharaj's detention on 27 October 1988 when they were told of his presence on death row in the Florida State Prison by Professor Radelet, a death penalty researcher from the University of Florida. At the same time, Mr. Maharaj wrote to our embassy in Washington to alert them to his situation.
	Our embassy in Washington wrote to the State Department on 19 January 1989 to formally complain that the Florida authorities did not notify the Consulate General of Mr. Maharaj's arrest as they should have done under the bilateral UK/US consular convention. The State Department sent an apology on 20 May 1989.

Moazzam Begg

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what access by (a) the Red Cross and (b) British diplomats has been granted to Moazzam Begg who is detained in Guantanamo Bay; and with what result.

Chris Mullin: Since his transfer to Guantanamo Bay in February 2003, Moazzam Begg has been seen once by British officials during their visit in April. The purpose of the visit was to check on his identity and welfare and to ask questions related to national security. Mr. Begg appeared to be in good health.
	The International Committee of the Red Cross has access to all the detainees at Guantanamo Bay on request.

Occupied Territories

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his European counterparts regarding the EU demand for reparations from Israel for damage done to projects and infrastructure paid for by the European Union.

Bill Rammell: Action taken by Israel in self defence must be proportionate. Israel must avoid civilian casualties and avoid damaging civilian property and infrastructure.
	Together with our EU partners we have raised our concerns about the damage to EU and other donor-funded projects in the West Bank and Gaza Strip caused by Israeli military actions and demanded that this practice stop. The EU reserves the right to demand compensation. The European Commission continues to monitor and cost this damage.

Pakistan

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2003, Official Report, column 803W, on Pakistan, how many people from Pakistan have applied for a visit visa in a third country since the visa section in Islamabad was unable to accept applications; how many were successful; how many people from Pakistan have sought prior agreement for a visit visa from a mission in a third country; by what means they may seek such prior agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: We do not hold statistics on the number of Pakistani nationals who have applied for visit visas in third countries since the restricted visa service in Islamabad began. Gathering this information would incur disproportionate costs.
	Visitor visas can be applied for at any of our 164 visa issuing posts. However, applicants are advised to contact the embassy or High Commission at which they wish to apply before travelling to ensure that their application can be accepted.
	Applicants can contact any visa issuing post by fax, telephone or e-mail. Contact details can be found on the UKvisas website at www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Russia

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 3 June 2003, Official Report, column 9W, on Ingushetia, when he expects to receive the report from the Ingush government commission.

Bill Rammell: We do not know when the Ingush government commission will publish its report. However, we hope that the commission will complete its work without delay.

Travel Bans

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions UK nationals (a) resident and (b) travelling abroad have been subject to a travel ban by an overseas government in each of the last five years.

Chris Mullin: We do not record statistics on the point raised by the hon. Member. It would incur disproportionate cost to provide the information requested.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Crown Prosecution Service (Dropped Prosecutions)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Solicitor General how many prosecutions have been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service on the grounds that it was not in the public interest to prosecute by reason of old age in the last five years.

Harriet Harman: The Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) centrally held case records do not include information on the reasons underlying discontinuance. It is therefore not possible to say how many prosecutions the CPS have dropped on the grounds it was not in the public interest to prosecute by reason of old age. This information is held on individual case files, and could be obtained only, at disproportionate cost, by examining each relevant file in every CPS office across the country.
	The only information currently available comes from a survey of the reasons for discontinuance undertaken in six CPS branches during the period October to December 1998. This showed that 2.7 per cent. of all discontinuances were attributable to the age or ill health of the defendant. Obviously however this information is considerably out of date and came from a limited sample.
	The Compass case management system, which is to be implemented throughout the CPS by the end of 2003 will enable a full analysis of the reasons for discontinuance including a record of cases discontinued because the defendant was elderly.

Departmental Costs (Advertising)

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor General what the total expenditure on advertising by the Department was in (a) 200102 and (b) 200203; and what the level of planned expenditure is for (i) 200304 and (ii) 200405.

Harriet Harman: A holding reply was given on 21 May 2003.
	Expenditure on advertising by the Crown Prosecution Service is restricted to advertising job vacancies in the local and national press. The total expenditure by the Crown Prosecution Service was 684,420 in 200102 and 1,123,294 in 200203. The planned expenditure for 200204 is 558,731. Budgets for 200405 have not yet been set but expenditure is expected to be similar to 200304
	The Serious Fraud Office has only incurred expenditure in 200102 of 64,000 and 200203 of 38,000 on recruitment advertising. It has not plans to incur expenditure in 200304 and 200405 on advertising other than for recruitment.
	The expenditure on advertising by the Treasury Solicitor's Department met from public funds in (a) 200102 and (b) 200203 was as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200102 122,300 
			 200203 (1)115,000 
		
	
	(1) Forecast
	The advertising budget for 200304 is 135,000. A detailed budget for 200405 has not been decided.
	Expenditure on advertising by the Treasury Solicitor's Department is directly related to the recruitment of lawyers to the Government Legal Service (GLS) and administrative staff.
	Within the Department, the specialist Bona Vacantia division regularly places advertisements in the press seeking kin in cases where individuals have died intestate with no apparent claimants to the estate under administration. The costs for this activity are treated as an expense on the Crown Nominee's Account that is presented separately to Parliament. The advertising costs falling on that account for 200102 and 200203 have been 192,800 and 130,300 respectively.
	The Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate have no budget for advertising.

Departmental Ministers

John Horam: To ask the Solicitor-General how many Ministers there were in the Attorney-General's Department in each year since 1996.

Harriet Harman: Two, the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Solicitor General how many of her staff have taken sick leave due to mental health problems in the last year.

Harriet Harman: The information is as follows:
	Crown Prosecution Service
	During the period 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2002 the Crown Prosecution Service had 256 staff take sick leave through mental health problems.
	Serious Fraud Office
	During 2002, six employees took sick absence due to mental health problems.
	Treasury Solicitor's Department
	Five staff have taken sick leave due to mental health problems in the last financial year, 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003.
	The Treasury Solicitor's Department figures also cover the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Accident Surveillance System

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans there are to introduce an alternative surveillance system in light of the decision to abolish the Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Although no new data will now be collected for MASS, the Government recognise that the existing database will remain a valuable resource for many years which should continue to be available for users. It will, therefore, be looking for proposals from other organisations that would be interested in taking it over. The value of the database should be enhanced by the inclusion of the last three years data which has been delayed by IT problems. The Government hope to be able to publish this later this year.
	The report of the Accidental Injury Task Force identified a need to strengthen the surveillance of accidental injury at regional and local levels in the NHS. This will be the Government's first priority. However, it is too soon to say whether NHS surveillance will collect data on product involvement in accidental injuries in the sort of detail which HASS has provided. If detailed data is required on product safety issues, this can be collected through targeted surveys.

Aviation Stakeholders

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether planned future guidance documents from her Department on subjects affecting general aviation stakeholders will be the subject of consultation with their representative bodies; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Department will use the wind energy, defence and civil aviation interest working group as a forum for preparing future updates of the guidance material on wind energy and aviation interests. General aviation stakeholders can register an interest in this work by completing the stakeholder feedback pro forma on page 55 of the interim guidelines, which can be found at: http:/www.dti.gov.uk/energy/renewables/publications/pdfs/windenergyaviation.pdf

Closed Consultations

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 3 June 2003, Official Report, column 322W, on closed consultations, if she will list the closed consultations that are awaiting a response; on what date each consultation closed; and on what date she expects to respond in each case.

Patricia Hewitt: Further to my previous answer the Department now has 10 consultations awaiting a response.
	The expected response dates listed below are based on current plans but should be seen as a guide only.
	
		
			 Consultation title Date closed Expected response date 
		
		
			 Amendments to the Timeshare Act 1992; and proposed new Timeshare (Cancellation Information) Order 31 January 2003 End July 2003 
			 Advanced Television Services Regulations 2003 2 May 2003 End July 2003 
			 Employment Agencies: Consultation on new regulations 1 November 2002 Autumn 2003 
			 Employment status in relation to statutory employment rights 11 December 2002 End of year 2003 
			 Equality and DiversityMaking it Happen 21 February 2003 Date to be announced in due course 
			 Extension of the Application of the EU Regulation on International Accounting Standards 26 November 2002 End July 2003 
			 Export Control Act Draft Secondary Legislation 30 April 2003 Final orders are expected to be laidbefore Parliament in October 2003 
			 Future Offshore: A consultation on the future framework for developing offshore wind farms 18 February 2003 End July 2003 
			 Implementation of Directive 2001/90/EC (creosote) 2 February 2003 End June 2003 
			 WTO General Agreement on Trade in Service (GATS) Negotiations 3 January 2003 End July 2003

Credit Card Industry

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) credit card industry representative bodies, (b) consumer bodies and (c) representatives of the Financial Services Authority her Department has met to discuss the Honesty Box.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Honesty Box has been discussed at meetings organised by my officials. Representatives of organisations such as the British Bankers Association, the Finance and Leasing Association, the Association for Payment Clearing Services, the Consumers' Association and the Financial Services Authority have attended these meetings.
	I believe that the issue of transparency in the credit market constitutes a key element of the current review of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. As a result, I will be consulting later this year on proposals for simplifying the advertising regime for consumer credit and on standardising the form and content of credit agreements so that consumers receive key information in a clear and concise manner.
	In particular I will be consulting on some form of the Honesty Boxes to set out, in advertisements or application forms, the key applicable interest rates and charges, which I believe could be a key element of our proposals to increase transparency.

Departmental Employees (Taunton)

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the projects and programmes which are funded by her Department and are administered in Taunton; and how many people are employed in administering those projects and programmes, expressed as a full-time equivalent.

Jacqui Smith: The South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) is currently funding 'Taunton VisioningTown Centre Regeneration' which is administered by the Somerset Area Team based in Exeter.
	The RDA employs seven people in its Somerset Area Team whose fundamental role is to deliver the RDA Corporate Plan in Somerset. This Team is supported in its work by RDA staff in central functions and local and sub-regional partners.

Electricity

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what figures she has collated on the percentage of electricity generated lost in (a) transmission and (b) distribution in each EU country.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 30 June 2003
	Information on electricity transmission and distribution losses in 2000 is to be found in Electricity Information 2002 published by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The information requested is given in the following table. Transmission and distribution losses are not separately identified by the IEA.
	
		
			 Country Electricity supplied (TWh) Transmission and distribution losses (TWh) Losses as a percentage of electricity supplied  
		
		
			 Luxembourg 5.9 0.1 1.7 
			 Finland 79.1 2.8 3.5 
			 Netherlands 104.9 4.1 3.9 
			 Belgium 82.8 3.7 4.5 
			 Germany 530.6 25.2 4.7 
			 Italy 298.5 19.2 6.4 
			 Denmark 35.3 2.3 6.5 
			 France 440.6 29.9 6.8 
			 Austria 57.4 4.1 7.1 
			 Sweden 142.4 11.7 8.2 
			 United Kingdom 369.3 30.8 8.3 
			 Portugal 42.6 3.6 8.5 
			 Greece 49.3 4.3 8.7 
			 Ireland 22.3 2.0 9.0 
			 Spain 214.8 20.0 9.3

Electronic Banking

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will visit Wales to assess the effectiveness of the introduction of electronic banking at post offices.

Stephen Timms: Universal banking went live in post offices on 1 April 2003 as scheduled. The Post Office is now providing electronic access to a wide range of bank accounts and is looking to extend these further. The provision of electronic banking services at post offices is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. I understand from the company that its introduction has gone extremely well and that the systems are working effectively. The Government's investment of 480 million on computerising the post office network means that the Post Office can achieve a new role as a convenient place for people to do their banking.

Employers' Liability Insurance

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the legal costs of dispute resolution associated with employers' liability insurance.

Des Browne: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department published a first stage report on employers' liability insurance that looked at the issue on 3 June.
	This report and separate research in Scotland noted that definitive evidence on legal costs was not available. However an indication was given from the analysis of one leading insurer. They reported that legal costs represented on average 36 per cent. of the total claims cost for employers' liability insurance. This proportion varied by size of claim:
	
		
			 Claim size Legal cost (Per cent.) 
		
		
			 Less than 10,000 51 
			 10,000-25,000 45 
			 Greater than 25,000 23

Employers' Liability Insurance

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of compliance rates for British firms for employers' liability compulsory insurance.

Des Browne: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department published a first stage report on employers' liability insurance that looked at the issue on 3 June.
	The information collated suggests that levels of compliance are high but not comprehensive. The report therefore suggests a range of measures to improve enforcement.

Euro Roadshow

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the events she plans to attend as part of the Government's euro roadshow.

Jacqui Smith: Ministers will be holding a series of meetings around the country, campaigning for a pro-European consensus.

Flexible Working

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans there are to monitor and record the number of workers (a) requesting and (b) being granted flexible working in (i) central Government, (ii) local government, (iii) the public sector and (iv) the private sector; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: We are actively promoting flexible working policies across the workplace through the Government's Work-Life Balance Campaign, which aims to encourage best practice by demonstrating the benefits to both employers and employees in all sectors and size of business. To support and help speed up the spread of best practice, on 6 April 2003 we introduced new flexible working legislation, to ensure that employees with children under six or disabled children under 18 will only have their requests for flexible working turned down where there are valid business reasons.
	We are committed to commence a review of this legislation in three years' time, and as a baseline for this, we have already carried out two major surveys covering employers and employees, giving a clear picture of the current levels of flexible working in both public and private sectors. We are currently developing a detailed monitoring strategy for the next three years and are working closely with key employer and employee stakeholders. As part of this strategy we will be repeating the two baseline surveys in 2005.
	For further evidence on the numbers of people working flexibly, disaggregated into the public and private sectors, we are repeating the large scale Workplace Employment Relations Survey in 2004, and asking specific questions on flexible working to both employers and employees. The spring and autumn modules of the quarterly Labour Force Survey also provide some information on flexible working practices.
	We will be working with other Government Departments to gain information on how the new legislation is being implemented and the levels of take up across central Government. We are also establishing links with the Employers' Organisation for Local Government (EO) and the Local Government Association (LGA) in order to gather information specifically relating to flexible working practices within local government.

Government Aid

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been recovered by her Department from regional aid grants made to industrial projects which have subsequently failed in the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: 26.1 million of regional selective assistance was recovered between 1 April 1998 and 31 March 2003. Much of this relates to offers and payments made in earlier years.
	Recoveries of grant under the Enterprise Grant scheme (introduced in January 2000) to date total 95,000.

Government Aid

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much regional aid has been given by the UK Government since 1997 in terms of (a) cash grants, (b) tax relief and (c) other subsidies to industries investing in the UK; how many jobs were expected to have been created as a result; how many jobs were delivered; and if she will make a statement on the proportion of aid which has been given to projects that have subsequently failed.

Jacqui Smith: Since 1997, 119 million of grant offered under the Regional Selective Assistance scheme was accepted by companies in support of projects in England which have now been completed. These projects were expected to create or safeguard 38,997 jobs.
	The total amount of RSA that was eventually paid was 103 million and 39,841 jobs were created or safeguarded.
	In addition, 8 million has been paid for projects where there has been some recovery or write-off action. Of this, 1.5 million has been recovered. Many of these projects will have involved some investment and jobs but not on the scale anticipated at the time of offer.
	Under the Enterprise Grant scheme (introduced in January 2000) 56.4 million was offered to companies by 31 March 2003. 184,000 went to projects where there has been some recovery or write-off action. To date, 95,000 has been recovered. Job creation and safeguarding are not among the national criteria for Enterprise Grants.
	The Department is not responsible for tax issues nor for subsidies or grants given by other departments.

Home Accident Surveillance Systems

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for the future of the Home Accident Surveillance Systems; what representations she has received regarding the future of HASS; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: On 2 May, my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield the then Minister for Competition, Consumer and Markets, announced that the DTI will no longer collect statistics on the causes and nature of home and leisure accidents. Following increased pressure on resources and the need to focus on the Department's core priorities, hard decisions had to be made on what to stop. HASS did not fit with these priorities and I have no plans to replace it.
	I have received representations from several organisations regarding the impact of this decision.

Home Accident Surveillance Systems

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the ending of the Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 30 June 2003
	On 2 May 2003, my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield, the then Minister for Competition, Consumer and Market, announced that the DTI will no longer collect statistics on the causes and nature of home and leisure accidents. Following increased pressure on resources and the need to focus on the Department's core priorities, hard decisions had to be made on what to stop. The collection of accident statistics did not fit with these priorities.

National Minimum Wage

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 11 June 2003, Official Report, column 897W, on the national minimum wage, if she will break down by region the number of employers not complying with the minimum wage regulations; if she will list the provisions empowering enforcement officers to take action; under what circumstances offenders are prosecuted; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Further to my earlier answer on 11 June, 1,996 employers were found not to be complying with the minimum wage regulations in 200203 and these can be broken down by region as follows:
	
		
			 Region Number 
		
		
			 East 122 
			 East Midlands 94 
			 London 236 
			 Merseyside 27 
			 North East 127 
			 North West 181 
			 Northern Ireland 212 
			 Scotland 183 
			 South East 94 
			 South West 136 
			 Wales 142 
			 West Midlands 152 
			 Yorks/Humberside 207 
			 Unknown 83 
			 Total 1,996 
		
	
	There are a small number of cases (83) where unfortunately the regional details have not been recorded on the central database.
	The National Minimum Wage Act 1998 (NMWA 1998) contains a number of enforcement provisions: Section 14 deals with the production of staff records; Section 19(1) deals with Enforcement Notices; Section 20 covers tribunal and court proceedings where an Enforcement Notice is not complied with; Section 21(1) deals with Penalty Notices; Section 31 deals with prosecutions.
	As I said in my earlier answer, the Inland Revenue successfully resolves the great majority of cases (around 99 per cent.) without enforcement action being needed.

Office of Fair Trading

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what basis her Department is leading the Government's response to the OFT report and leading in the development of a package of measures to change regulations made under the National Health Service Act 1977; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Ministers have agreed that the Department will coordinate the Government's responses to all market investigations by the OFT or the Competition Commission, which make regulatory recommendations and also monitor progress to follow up action. This reflects the Department's responsibility for consumer and competition matters. Any changes to regulations to be made under the National Health Service Act as a result of the Government's decisions on the merits of the recommendation on control of entry for pharmacies will be for the Department of Health to lead on.

Personal Loan Charges

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans her Department has to abolish the rights of financial institutions to charge customers who repay personal loans early.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The early settlement of personal loans is one of the priority areas being covered under the current review of the Consumer Credit Act.
	It is our intention to revise the current provisions to make them fair and equitable to both lenders and borrowers, and that consumers are better informed about these terms. A consultation document on proposed changes was issued last year to industry, consumer bodies and other interested parties and the responses are currently being evaluated.

Robbin Rigg Wind Farm

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on the Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm (Navigation and Fishing) (Scotland) Bill.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 26 June 2003
	I understand the Bill receives its final hearing in the Scottish Parliament on 26 June 2003. The Department of Trade and Industry will, of course, consider any relevant aspects of the Parliament's deliberations.

Sunset Clauses

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make it her policy to include a sunset clause in all new legislation unless a specific case can be made to exclude a sunset clause.

Patricia Hewitt: Revised guidance on Regulatory Impact Assessments, Better Policy Making: A Guide to Regulatory Impact Assessment, was published by the Cabinet Office on 28 January 2003. It advises officials to consider time-limiting or a sunset clause at an early stage of policy development, and gives specific examples of where a sunset clause may be appropriate.
	The Department of Trade and Industry actively promotes the better regulation agenda and the use of sunset clauses where appropriate.

Unsolicited E-mails

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have to bring forward legislation to prohibit the distribution of unsolicited e-mails in the UK; and what steps may be taken against companies who relocate to countries where the legislative framework covering the distribution of unsolicited e-mails is less strict.

Stephen Timms: There will be new controls on the distribution of unsolicited commercial e-mails (UCE) under the UK's implementing regulations for the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive (Directive 2002/5 8/EC) which are due to come into force by 31 October.
	Under these regulations, commercial e-mails may only be sent to individuals with their prior consent, except where there is an existing customer relationship between the sender and the addressee.
	The new measures will apply to all EU member states and to instigators as well as senders of commercial e-mails within the EU. UK and other EU advertisers will therefore be unable to avoid the rules by using third part e-mail bureaux located outside the EU.
	Where a business decides to relocate its operations entirely to another country outside the EU, and no longer maintains a UK presence, it does become very difficult to enforce the UK rules. However, the fact that the European regime has now been agreed and is being implemented opens the door to agreements between the EU and other countries, which should result in a more unified approach towards the distribution of unsolicited e-mails.

Veterinary Surgeons

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation was carried out with veterinary surgeons on the effects of the Competition Commission's inquiry into veterinary prescription only medicines.

Gerry Sutcliffe: During the course of its inquiry, the Commission received submissions from veterinary surgeons and veterinary organisations such as the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association. A full list of those who gave evidence, and details of their evidence, can be found in pages 273 to 537 of Volume I of the report.
	On 17 September 2002, the Commission published a statement of provisional conclusions and hypothetical remedies. Interested parties were invited to comment on these.
	At the request of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry the Office of Fair Trading has written to veterinary organisations to consult informally on the appropriate terms of the order to implement the Commission's proposed remedies under the Fair Trading Act 1973. This will be followed by a public consultation where veterinary organisations, veterinary surgeons and any other interested parties can make their views known on the terms of such an order.

Waste Management

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action her Department has taken since 2000 in its role as the sponsoring Department of the waste management industry.

Stephen Timms: As sponsoring Department, DTI has had regular liaison with representatives of the waste management industry including the Environmental Services Association (ESA) and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM). In particular, DTI has played an active role in the development of good practice initiatives by the National Resource and Waste Forum (NRWF)a cross-sectoral forum led by the waste management industry, which was instigated by DTI following a study of industry competitiveness.
	The Department takes careful account of the views of the waste management industry in consideration of waste policy. This enables us to bring a waste industry perspective to discussions with other Government bodies such as Defra, the Environment Agency and HM Treasury.
	The Joint Environmental Markets Unit (JEMU)which is jointly staffed by DTI and Defracontinues to promote the UK's waste management industry in international markets. An extensive programme of activities, including seminars and outward and inward trade missions, has benefited around 20 to 30 waste management companies over the past couple of years, and is beginning to achieve a far greater appreciation in the industry of global trade and investment opportunities.
	During 2002, an industry-Government Innovation and Growth Team (IGT) for the Environmental Goods and Services Sector (IGT-EGS) was set up to identify actions to help the UK environmental sector take advantage of changes in UK and overseas markets over the next 15 years. As a result, JEMU will expand its role, taking forward those actions that are of common interest across waste, water, energy and other sub-sectors and are not already being dealt with effectively elsewhere. This will include a particular focus on the innovation-related aspects of the IGT work.
	To this end, DTI and Defra have established an Environmental Innovations Advisory Group which will meet for the first time on 14 July 2003. The Group will bring together companies from different levels in three supply chainswaste recycling, energy efficient technology and water managementas well as people involved in supporting the innovation and commercialisation process. This theme of innovation in resource efficiency is consistent with policy goals, while the findings would be transferable to other areas of innovation in environmental technologies.
	The Department is also represented on the Defra-led Hazardous Waste Forum, and is currently considering options for a possible industry forum on waste, in line with a recommendation in the Strategy Unit report, Waste Not Want Not.

Wind Energy

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation her Department carried out with (a) general aviation stakeholders and (b) national representative bodies for general aviation aerodrome operations and users in the preparation of the Interim Guidelines on Wind Energy, published by her Department; if she will consult stakeholders within general aviation in the preparation of the final version of the Guidelines on Wind Energy; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: In addition to the Department, a number of stakeholders were involved in the preparation of the interim guidelines. These included the Civil Aviation Authority, National Air Traffic Services, Ministry of Defence, Department for Transport and the Airport Operators' Association who reported on progress to various consultative groups. Apart from this, a stakeholder feedback pro forma has been included on page 55 of the guidelines for other interested parties to register an interest in the work on future updates which can be found at: http://www.dit.gov.uk/energy/renewables/publications/pdfs/wmdenergyaviation.pdf

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Paul Marsden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what health care checks are carried out on pre-school children in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: Immunisation of pre-school children has been the aim of the successful polio and measles vaccination campaigns carried out in Afghanistan over, the last year.

Afghanistan

Paul Marsden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the infant mortality rates were in Afghanistan in the last three years.

Hilary Benn: A UNICEF report from 1997 gave infant mortality rates as 165 per 1,000 live births. This was the figure also quoted by the first joint donor mission to Afghanistan to study health. The World Bank also provides the same figure of infant mortality for 1995 and 2000. There is no more recent data currently available.

Afghanistan

Paul Marsden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development 
	(1)  what financial support is being given to hospitals in Afghanistan to increase the number of woman health care providers;
	(2)  what financial support is being given to hospitals in Afghanistan to train and recruit (a) nurses, (b) qualified birth attendants and (c) doctors.

Hilary Benn: The Afghan Transitional Administration requested US$173 million for the health sector as part of the Budget for the current year, of which at least US$22 million is specifically for training and capacity building. We estimate that donors will fund all or most of this. The Afghan Ministry of Health has devised an interim health strategy, which includes specific programmes for addressing institutional development and management and staff training. They are committed to addressing gender issues within these areas. DFID is helping the Ministry of Health to devise a long-term approach to policy and management, including recently by providing a consultant to assist with the assessment of human resource needs.

Afghanistan

Paul Marsden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what steps are being taken to increase the number of hospitals in operation in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: The Afghanistan Transitional Authority is trying to improve the basic health services and primary health care for all and wants to avoid a rapid expansion of the hospital sector which will skew current and future resources away from primary care. The International Community supports this approach and is unlikely to fund the opening of large numbers of hospitals in the near future, while the Afghan Government lacks the capacity to manage and staff such institutions. However, DFID and others are assisting the Afghan Ministry of Health to develop its long-term strategy for health care provision in Afghanistan and this will include assessments of the needs of hospitals.

Botswana

Angus Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what reports the Department has received of the forced removal of groups from their tribal reserves in Botswana; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: In early 2002, the Government of Botswana ceased supplying water to San people living in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, estimated to number about 500 at that time. Most of these people have since left the Reserve, many of them in a government co-ordinated relocation in February 2002. Representatives of the San are bringing a court case about the decision to cease supplying water. Our High Commission in Botswana is continuing to monitor the situation.
	The Secretary of State, Baroness Amos discussed the relocation of the San with the Government of Botswana during her visit there on 12 April as Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa. Her discussion was part of an on-going dialogue between the two Governments about the San, and about wider poverty issues in Botswana.

Deforestation

Sue Doughty: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2003, Official Report, column 770W, to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on deforestation, if he will indicate the principal locations of forest cover lost between 1990 and 2000.

Hilary Benn: While deforestation rate is one official indicator for measuring success or failure of Millennium Development Goal 7 it is an imperfect one that hides differential impacts on poor people and does not capture the underlying causes of reducing forest coverpopulation growth, trade (including trade in illegal timber), macro-economic policies, weak governance, unclear access rights and conflict.
	Official estimates of forest cover are contested by independent organisations like Global Forest Watch. In addition, estimates disguise the fact that increased areas under plantation are replacing natural forest cover in, for example, parts of Asia and Costa Rica. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, State of the World's Forests, the principle locations of forest cover lost between 1990 and 2000 are:
	
		
			 Region Annual Rate of Change (%) 
		
		
			 Africa -0.8 
			 In particular:  
			 Comoros -4.3 
			 Rwanda -3.9 
			 Niger -3.7 
			 South America -0.4 
			 In particular:  
			 Ecuador -1.2 
			 Argentina -0.8 
			 Paraguay -0.5 
			 Oceania -0.2 
			 In particular:  
			 Micronesia -4.5 
			 Samoa -2.1 
			 Papa New Guinea -0.4 
			 Asia -0.1 
			 In particular:  
			 Yemen 1.9 
			 Nepal -1.8 
			 Sri Lanka -1.6 
			 North and Central America -0.1 
			 In particular:  
			 Haiti -5.7 
			 Saint Lucia -4.9 
			 El Salvador -4.6

Montserrat

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what plans there are to increase aid to Montserrat.

Hilary Benn: Our financial provision for Montserrat, covering the 3-year UK Financial Year period 200304200506, was increased in February of this year to a total of 45.6 million. This represented an increase of some 50 per cent. over the level that was previously set for the same period. It is estimated that, by March 2006, our assistance since the onset of the volcanic emergency in the mid-1990s will have totalled more than 225 million.

Montserrat

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent discussions the Department has had with the Government of Montserrat.

Hilary Benn: We engage regularly in such discussions. For example, Montserrat's Chief Minister called on DFID Ministers during a UK visit in May; and several of our officials have visited the island already this year for talks on a range of issues, including construction of the new airport. Further missions are planned. We also enjoy frequent contact with the Montserrat Government Representative in London.

Montserrat

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development when the Secretary of State next plans to visit Montserrat.

Hilary Benn: My right hon. Friend has no such plans at present.

Performance Targets

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will list the targets the Department for International Development set for the (a) Performance Assessment Network, (b) Performance Reporting Information System for Management and (c) Multilateral Organisations' Performance Assessment Initiative in (i) 200001, (ii) 200102 and (iii) 200203; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Performance Assessment Network was an informal network of officials from across DFID. It was created to ensure that lessons on performance assessment were shared widely across the Department. It had no formal targets and was disbanded in 2002. Lesson-learning is now undertaken throughout the organisation (rather than by a separate unit).
	Targets for improving the performance of our projects in each risk category, as measured by DFID's Performance Reporting Information System for Management (PRISM), were set under the Value for Money' target in DFID's 200104 Public Service Agreement (PSA) and rolled forward into the 200306 PSA. PRISM was rolled out throughout DFID in 2002. Now that a critical mass of performance information has been entered into PRISM, we will report progress against the baseline figures.
	The Multilateral Organisations Performance Assessment Network is an association of bilateral development agencies who assess multilateral performance at country level. It has no targets and it is not for us to set them. Its main activity is to pilot an assessment exercise, after which the members will assess how it has gone and whether and how to repeat it.

Performance Targets

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how the Department for International Development assesses whether general targets under the Joint Funding Scheme have been met.

Hilary Benn: The Joint Funding Scheme (JFS) closed for new project funding in May 2000 and has been replaced by the Civil Society Challenge Fund. Pre-existing Joint Funding Scheme Projects continue to be supported, but this funding will cease at the end of 200405.
	All existing JFS projects have inbuilt Monitoring and Evaluation procedures. These produce annual progress reports and closing reports for each project. In 2000, DFID commissioned a review of the JFS which drew on this accumulated data to identify best practices and lessons learnt on the role of UK based civil society organisations in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. These findings contributed to the design and development of the new Civil Society Challenge Fund.
	The Civil Society Challenge Fund also has its own built in assessment and review mechanisms and a regular programme of visits to projects in the field by DFID staff and consultants. The overall principles of the Fund are based on and complementary to the UK Government's commitment to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

HEALTH

Leicester Royal Infirmary

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to visit the accident and emergency department at the Leicester Royal Infirmary to review recent changes in working practices.

John Hutton: I have no current plans to visit the accident and emergency department at Leicester Royal Infirmary. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and thanks to all those working in the AE department for their dedication and commitment to NHS patients.

Smoking

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for further measures to combat smoking.

Melanie Johnson: We are implementing a comprehensive tobacco programme to help the 7 in 10 smokers who want to quit and to prevent people starting. As well as introducing legislation, we are investing 138 million in the National Health Service stop smoking services over the next three years and 39 million in the next year on prevention.
	The most recent estimated cost to the NHS of treating smoking related diseases was for 1997 and was between 1.4 billion and 1.7 billion for England 1 . As total net NHS expenditure for the year 199697 was 33.0 billion, the percentage of expenditure this represents is between 4.2 per cent. and 5.4 per cent.
	1 Cost Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Interventions by the Health Education Authority, in collaboration with the University of York published in 1997.

Preventive Healthcare

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve preventative healthcare.

Melanie Johnson: This Government places the highest priority on preventing illness, promoting the health of all, and improving the health of the poorest people as a priority. This means tackling inequalities, reducing mortality from cancer and coronary heart disease as well as reducing the burden caused by infectious disease.

Smoking-related Diseases

Michael Jabez Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the annual cost of treatment of smoking-related diseases within the NHS; and what percentage that represents of the annual NHS budget.

Melanie Johnson: We are implementing a comprehensive tobacco programme to help the seven in 10 smokers who want to quit and to prevent people starting. As well as introducing legislation, we are investing 138 million in the national health service stop smoking services over the next three years and 39 million in the next year on prevention.
	The most recent estimated cost to the NHS of treating smoking related diseases was for 1997 and was between 1.4 billion and 1.7 billion for England 1 . As total net NHS expenditure for the year 199697 was 33.0 billion, the percentage of expenditure this represents is between 4.2 per cent. and 5.4 per cent.
	1 Cost Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Interventions'' by the Health Education Authority, in collaboration with the University of York published in 1997.

Foundation Hospitals

Keith Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the governance of foundation hospitals.

John Hutton: The governance arrangements for NHS Foundation Trusts are set out in schedule 1 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill. For the first time in the history of the NHS, local people and staff will have the right to choose the Governors of their local hospitals, helping to improve the responsiveness and delivery of health care services.

Foundation Hospitals

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of hospitals wishing to apply for foundation trust status.

John Hutton: Subject to legislation, the first wave of national health service foundation trusts will be established in April 2004. 29 NHS trusts are entering the preparatory stage for NHS foundation trust status. Each application for NHS foundation trust status will need the support of the Secretary of State. The applications will be submitted by autumn 2003.
	The applicant NHS trusts must retain three stars in the performance ratings to be published in the summer. They must also satisfy the requirements of the preparatory phase, outlined in The Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts, before they can be approved to become NHS Foundation Trusts.

Foundation Hospitals

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his oral answer of 3 June 2003 to the hon. Member for Sunderland South, Official Report, column 9, how candidates for membership of the governing boards of foundation hospitals will be selected; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Local people, patients and staff who become members of a national health service foundation trust will elect patient and public representatives onto a Board of Governors. It will be up to each individual NHS foundation trust to determine the detail of the arrangements for the membership and the election to the Board of Governors, within certain parameters. In particular, there must be fair and transparent elections. Governors elected by the public or staff constituency may hold office for a period of three years and are eligible for re-election at the end of that period. Amongst other things, a NHS foundation trust's constitution will set out:
	eligibility requirements for membership and what membership means;
	the constitution of the Board of Governors, eligibility requirements for governors, provisions for the election and appointment of governors (including how prospective governors can be nominated) and the duties and responsibilities of the Board of Governors; and
	the membership and functions of the Board of Directors.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME)

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the conclusion of the Donaldson Report on myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Stephen Ladyman: On May 12 we announced 8.5 million for the development of services with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalitis. We asked the Medical Research Council to develop a research strategy for advancing biomedical and health services research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalitis, subsequently published on 1 May. These actions will improve treatment and care for people with this debilitating condition.

GP Prescribing Practices

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on innovation in prescribing practices by GPs.

John Hutton: The NHS continues to expand investment in General Practitioner prescribing to meet the needs of patients. For instance, increasing the use of clinically effective drugs to prevent further heart attacks after an initial heart attack. Spending last year went up by 11.5 per cent.

Thrombo-embolic Disease

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to record the incidence of thrombo-embolic disease among air travellers treated within the national health service.

Melanie Johnson: The national health service does not currently record the travel history of patients with thrombo-embolic disease as a matter of routine. However we fully support the World Health Organisation's research into the subject and any plans to record such information will be informed by the results of the project.

Care Homes

George Young: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of residential care for the elderly.

Stephen Ladyman: In recent years, the Government have provided substantial increases in the level of funding for social services which councils can use to increase fee levels if that is what is needed to increase local provision or re-balance the care home market.
	We are also committed to improving the quality of care, and this is evident in the development of national minimum standards for care homes.

Care Homes

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what constitutes personal care under the services provided by the care home sector.

Stephen Ladyman: Care of an intimate nature, including help with bathing, dressing and feeding, is usually considered to be personal care.

Arthritis

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) England, (b) South Sefton, (c) Southport and (d) Formby have arthritis; if he will make a statement on Early Day Motion No.220; and if the Government will make arthritis a health care priority.

Stephen Ladyman: According to Arthritis Care, arthritis and rheumatism together account for one quarter of all visits to general practitioners. More than eight million people in the United Kingdom consult their family doctor about some form of arthritis. This includes about one million adults under the age of 45 and about 15,000 children. Figures are not available for South Sefton, Southport and Formby.
	Our policies to improve general hospital care, especially through the new single assessment process, will ensure that the health care needs of older peoplewho are the main sufferers from arthritiswill be properly targeted. This will ensure that the services that are provided are most appropriate to older people's needs, including people with arthritis.
	In the past year, two new classes of drugs, Cox II inhibitors and anti-TNF therapy have been made available to arthritis patients, following reviews by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). In addition, NICE is reviewing the drug, Anakinra, for its clinical and cost-effectiveness in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
	We have issued directions obliging strategic health authorities and primary care trusts to provide appropriate funding for treatments recommended by NICE. This is in line with our manifesto commitment to ensure that patients receive drugs and treatments recommended by NICE on the national health service if considered appropriate by their clinicians.
	Priorities for health and social care are set out in Improvement, Expansion and Reform, the Priorities and Planning Framework for 20036. Although arthritis is not identified specifically, people with this condition stand to benefit from the improvement in access to specialist care for patients suffering from any form of orthopaedic condition. Maximum waiting times have fallen over the past few years and will continue to do so, so that, by the end of 2005, the maximum waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant will fall to three months and the maximum wait for inpatient treatment will fall to six months. Also, the older people's national service framework set standards which will improve treatment and care for a range of older people, including those with arthritis.

Aston Hall Hospital

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to support the re-provisioning of Aston Hall Hospital in Derbyshire.

Stephen Ladyman: This Government have allocated 20 million per year to the capital element of the Learning Disability Development Fund (LDDF). In 200203, Greater Derby Primary Care Trustthe lead commissioner for Learning Disabilities in Southern Derbyshiresuccessfully bid for 200,000 of this, which will be used to help the re-provision of care to residents of Aston Hall Hospital.
	In 200304, responsibility for allocating LDDF capital fell to strategic health authorities.

Carers Grant

Tony Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the net expenditure from the carers grant by each social services authority in England (a) was in each year since 199798 and (b) is projected for financial year 200304.

Stephen Ladyman: The figures for net expenditure are not collected centrally.
	The Carers Grant started in 19992000 and information on gross expenditure is available for 19992000, 200001 and 200102. A copy of these figures has been placed in the Library.

Continuing Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects to announce the Department's response to the Health Service Ombudsman's report on continuing care.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department has been responding vigorously to the key recommendations since the publication of the Health Service Ombudsman's report on continuing care. We have already announced a number of actions to address the key issues raised.
	I will be meeting with the Ombudsman in the autumn to review progress.

Continuing Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to his Answer of 9 June, Official Report, column 681W, on continuing care, how many people may have been wrongly denied full NHS funding for continuing care based on local information, broken down by strategic health authorities;
	(2)  pursuant to his Answer of 19 June 2003, Official Report, columns 4289W, on continuing care, how he will inform (a) the National Care Standards Commission, (b) the Health Service Ombudsman, (c) strategic health authorities and (d) individuals of the numbers of people who may have been wrongly assessed under criteria not consistent with the Coughlan judgment; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 26 June 2003
	We have no current plans to publish the numbers of people who may have been wrongly assessed under criteria not consistent with the Coughlan judgment.
	We will communicate with the National Care Standards Commission, the Ombudsman, strategic health authorities and individuals as and when appropriate.

Domiciliary Oxygen Users

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the need for the provision of ambulatory oxygen for domiciliary use; and what plans he has to make conserving devices available on prescription for domiciliary oxygen users.

Rosie Winterton: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for South Swindon (Ms Drown) on 10 June 2003, Official Report, columns 107172W by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Lammy).

Endometriosis

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote awareness of endometriosis.

Melanie Johnson: We will be making funds available to the National Endometriosis Society to help raise awareness of endometriosis among women and general practitioners. They will produce two leaflets. The first will be a leaflet to raise awareness among women of the condition and encourage those with symptoms to discuss them with their GP. They will also produce a leaflet for GPs that will highlight the signs and symptoms to help early diagnosis and encourage appropriate treatment.

Eye Health

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the spending on preventative eye health education was (a) in total, (b) on school age children and (c) on people over the age of 50 in (i) 1980, (ii) 1990 and (iii) 2000; and what expenditure has been allocated for financial year 200304.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not allocate funding specifically to eye health education. We are, however, doing much to improve the detection and treatment of those with sight problems.
	Free sight tests are available under the national health service to large parts of the population, including all those aged 60 and over, children, those aged 1618 in full-time education, people on benefits, those people at particular risk of developing eye disease, and people who are registered blind or partially sighted or who have a complex spectacle prescription. Sight tests are the ideal opportunity to review all aspects of eye health, including investigations for signs of disease. Those at risk of specific eye disease, for example, diabetic retinopathy, may be asked to attend regular screening. Overall, the number of NHS sight tests undertaken continues to increase. 9.8 million NHS sight tests were paid for by health authorities in 200102, an increase of three per cent. on 200001. 41 per cent. or four million, of these sight tests were performed on patients aged 60 or over, a group most vulnerable to eye disease. 24 per cent. or 2.4 million, were performed on children.
	In addition, we announced on 21 May the investment of an additional 52 million to deliver shorter waiting times for cataract patients, so that no patient will wait more than three months by December 2004, with most areas achieving this by the summer of 2004. We are also aiming to ensure that a minimum of 80 per cent. of people with diabetes are offered screening for the early detection and treatment, if needed, of diabetic eye disease, rising to 100 per cent. coverage by the end of 2007. This includes investment of 27 million for the NHS to purchase state of the art digital cameras and related screening equipment.
	We have promoted a system of child health and development checks. The programme of home visiting and community development makes an important contribution to many areas of health education, and fosters the early detection of problems, including those associated with eye sight in young, pre-school children. The programme also provides the opportunity to develop closer relationships between the family and the primary care team.
	Information about the extensive arrangements for providing help with NHS optical services and other health costs are publicised in leaflet HC11, Are you entitled to help with health costs? Posters are also available for display in optical practices and hospital out-patient departments.

Falls

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to issue guidance on falls.

Stephen Ladyman: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) anticipates that the guidance on falls will be published in August 2004. Details of the anticipated publication date of all NICE guidance can be found on the NICE website at: www.nice.org.uk

Food Supplements

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last discussed his policy objectives for food supplements with counterparts in other European Union member states; with whom such discussions were held; what progress was made; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Government are firmly committed to the view that, in the interests of consumer choice, the law should allow food supplements that are safe and properly labelled to be freely marketed.
	The most recent formal discussions on this issue took place in the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses in November 2002 and involved representatives of all European Union Member States other than Luxembourg; no firm conclusions were reached. The next stage at EU level will be discussions about maximum permitted levels of nutrients in food supplements. The Government's view is that these should be based on safety considerations rather than supposed need so as to neither unnecessarily limit consumer choice nor unduly restrict trade.
	The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which is responsible for negotiations on this issue, takes every opportunity to press this case bilaterally with Member States. In addition, in May, the FSA wrote to EU Member States to advise them of the conclusions of the UK Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (EVM) on safe intakes of vitamins and minerals. The EVM's advice will form the basis of the United Kingdom's position when substantive discussions at EU level take place in due course.

Food Supplements

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts with regard to the setting of maximum permitted levels for nutrients in food supplements; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 20 June 2003
	I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton South-East (Dr. Iddon) today.

Health and Safety Training

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to develop a system to ensure that contractors have appropriate arrangements in place (a) to train their staff in health and safety and risk management and (b) to record and monitor contractors' health and safety performance.

John Hutton: The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 places a duty on all employers to train their staff in health and safety and risk management procedures. In order to comply with this, national health service trusts must satisfy themselves that training has been provided by their contractors to those contractors' staff.
	Enforcement is legally the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive. The Department will also be reminding NHS trusts of their duties in this area and the value that good relationships with contractors can have in new guidance to be produced in the autumn of 2003.

Hospital-acquired Infections

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on recent measures to (a) record and (b) combat infections acquired in hospitals.

Melanie Johnson: Since April 2001 all acute trusts in England have had to report methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections. This was the first phase of a mandatory surveillance scheme for healthcare associated infection and the first two years' results are available at the Public Health Laboratory service website: www.phls.org.uk/publications/cdr/PDFfiles/2020/cdr2502.pdf and http://www.phls.org.uk/publications/cdr/index.html
	These data have enabled the introduction of an MRSA improvement score into the national health service performance management system this year.
	The second phase of the mandatory scheme will be introduced this September when trusts will have to report blood stream infections due to glycopeptide resistant enterococci and serious untoward incidents associated with infection.
	The Chief Medical Officer is spearheading a new Government drive to tackle healthcare associated infections, especially those acquired in hospitals. A long-term strategy to prevent and reduce infections in the NHS will be published in the autumn.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in each year from 1999; and what the salary costs were in each of those years;
	(2)  how many Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority staff members there were with media responsibilities in each year since 1999; and what their salary costs have been in each year.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 24 June 2003
	The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		Full time equivalent staff members in HFEA -- 
		
			 Tax Year Number of staff (2)Salary cost 
		
		
			 19992000 34 690,625 
			 200001 35 721,229 
			 200102 38 835,784 
			 200203 77 1,587,136 
		
	
	(2) Salary costs include National Insurance Contributions, Pension and Gross Salary
	
		Full time equivalent staff members with media responsibilityin HFEA -- 
		
			 Tax Year Number of staff (3)Salary cost 
		
		
			 19992000 1 28,057 
			 200001 1 34,996 
			 200102 2 (4)28,314 
			 200203 2 85,759 
		
	
	(3) Salary costs include National Insurance Contributions, Pension and Gross Salary.
	(4) One post was vacant for part of the year

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 18 June 2003, Official Report, column 280W, what categories of statistics are held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

Melanie Johnson: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has a statutory duty to collect information about licensed treatments and their outcomes, and maintains a register of information compiled from data provided by licensed clinics. Information on the current dataset has been placed in the Library.

Knee and Hip Joints

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how NHS hospitals, carrying out private treatment for the replacement of knee and hip joints, account for the parts used for (a) private treatment and (b) NHS treatment.

John Hutton: National health service trusts purchase their hip and knee prostheses direct from suppliers. Consultants will make a clinical decision on the actual implant required for each patient, and some will have a preference on the make of implant they use. The implants for both NHS and private patients would come from the stock the trust has in store. Private patients or their insurers will be invoiced by the NHS trust for the care that they have received.
	Details of the hip replacement operation for both NHS and private patients should then be entered on the National Joint Registry. This will assist NHS trusts to identify the any patients with a particular make of hip or knee if there is concern about the performance of the implant.

Learning Disability Services

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what action he plans to take concerning strategic health authorities which do not use allocation from the Learning Disability Development Fund for learning disability services;
	(2)  what guidance he has issued to strategic health authorities concerning the ring fencing of allocation from the Learning Disability Development Fund.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 26 June 2003
	The Learning Disability Development Fund (LDDF) is part of a national programme to support the delivery of the Government White Paper, Valuing PeopleA New Strategy for the 21st Century. For 200304, it consists of 21 million revenue and 20 million capital.
	The revenue element was distributed direct to primary care trusts on a pro-rata basis with a letter explaining its purpose. The capital element of the LDDF was allocated to strategic health authorities (SHAs) as part of their strategic capital allocations notified in Annex D of HSC 2003/004. A note was included in the Chief Executive Bulletin confirming that the LDDF capital was included in the strategic capital allocations and drawing attention to an entry on the Department of Health's learning disability website at www.doh.gov.uk/learningdisabilities about the priorities for its use.
	The capital is not ring-fenced. It is for SHAs to decide how best to use the money to support the needs of the people in their area.

Lung Patients

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans he has to provide secure funding for pulmonary rehabilitation programmes in NHS hospitals; and when he expects that such programmes will be universally available in the NHS;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on (a) regional and (b) local variations in the provision by the NHS of pulmonary rehabilitation to lung patients.

Stephen Ladyman: Substantial new investment in both health and social care services was announced in the 2002 Budget. This amounts to the largest sustained increase in funding of any five-year period in the history of the national health service. Over the years 200304 to 200708, these plans mean that expenditure on the NHS in England will increase on average by 7.4 per cent. a year over and above inflationa total increase over the period of 43 per cent. in real terms. This means that, over the same five-year period, there will be an increase of 34 billion.
	It is the role of strategic health authorities, in partnership with primary care trusts (PCTs), to decide what services to provide for their populations including those with respiratory conditions. They are best placed to understand local health needs and commission services to meet them.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently developing a guideline on the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary and secondary care. NICE is due to publish the guideline in 2004. In January 2003, the Respiratory Alliance published their guidance, Bridging the Gap, which aims to help PCTs to commission and deliver high quality allergy and respiratory care. Local British Lung Foundation Breathe Easy groups often reinforce pulmonary rehabilitation programmes.
	Information is not held centrally regarding the proportion of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who can access pulmonary rehabilitation locally or nationally. However, a recent survey by the British Lung Foundation and the British Thoracic Society found that 160 out of 266 hospitals across the country provide some form of pulmonary rehabilitation to lung patients.

Mental Health

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment has been made of the risks from Seroxat to adults suffering from depression.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the responses given to her by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Dr. Ladyman) on Friday 20 June 2003, Official Report, column 48889W.

Nerve Agent Antidotes

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what stocks his Department have of antidotes to nerve agents which could possibly be used in a terrorist attack; and whether there are such agents for which his Department do not have suitable stocks of antidotes.

John Hutton: Of the many compounds known to be toxic to man, only a very few are amenable to treatment with specific antidotes. For all that fall into this category and have been assessed as threats, the Department of Health has acquired sufficient stocks of antidotes.

NHS Dentistry

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been done into the long term effects of people being unable to access non-urgent oral health services due to a shortage of dentists willing to treat NHS patients; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the response given to him by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Mr. Lammy) on 11 June 2003, Official Report, column 935W, regarding the research into the long-term effects of people being unable to access non-urgent oral health services.
	The Government recognises that access to routine dental treatment can be difficult in some areas of the country. This is despite a steady increase in the number of dentists seeing national health service patients between 1997 and 2001 and an increase in the number of courses of treatment completed under NHS arrangements by two million between 199697 and 200102. Currently, around 60 per cent. of all general practice dentists offer 90 per cent. or more NHS care. Some 25 per cent. of all general practice dentists offer NHS care exclusively. Around 90 per cent. of callers to NHS Direct seeking routine dental treatment are put in touch with a dentist within locally set and nationally benchmarked distance standards.
	The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill proposes the local commissioning of primary dental services by primary care trusts. It is the intention of the Bill that this will better match the provision of NHS dentistry with local oral health needs.

NHS Dentistry

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent NHS dentists are expected to carry out a soft tissue examination; how long this procedure takes; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: There are three types of examination carried out in the general dental service. These are set out in the statement of dental remuneration (SDR) as follows:
	Clinical examination, advice, charting (including monitoring of periodontal status) and report.
	Extensive clinical examination, advice, charting (including charting of periodontal status) and report.
	Full case assessment (including full charting and report of periodontal status), treatment planning and report.
	Each of these procedures requires an increasing level of examination of soft tissues.
	The SDR can be found on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/sdr.
	The time taken for these procedures will vary according to individual patients' needs.

NHS Services (Gloucestershire)

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS dentistry in Gloucestershire.

Rosie Winterton: The Government are committed to providing national health service dentistry for all who need and seek it. We recognise, however, that there are some areas of the country, including parts of Gloucestershire, where it is difficult to find a NHS dentist.
	In the forthcoming Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, the Government proposes to legislate for far-reaching reform of NHS dental services. It is proposed that each primary care trust (PCT) be given a duty to provide or secure the provision of primary dental services in its area to the extent that it considers reasonable to do so and be given the financial resources to do this. This will give PCTs the flexibility to address access issues in their areas. Dentists who contract with a PCT will have a secure income in return for making a longer-term commitment to the NHS.

NHS Services (Gloucestershire)

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the contribution of hospices in Gloucestershire to the work of the NHS.

Rosie Winterton: Ministers recognise the excellent work done by all hospices in supporting people with terminal or life threatening illnesses. We also recognise the importance of improving palliative care for all patients and that is why we pledged in the NHS Cancer Plan to invest an additional 50 million per annum in specialist palliative care, including hospices, by 2004. This extra 50 million is to help tackle inequalities in access to specialist palliative care and to enable the National Health Service to increase its contribution to the cost hospices incur in providing agreed levels of services.
	A 50 million per annum central budget has been set up for specialist palliative care for 200304 to 200506. A joint NHS/voluntary sector national partnership group, charged with ensuring the 50 million is spent wisely, is assessing investment plans from the local cancer networks for the use of the central budget. Once the plans are approved, allocations will be made to networks.
	Information on the contribution of hospices in Gloucestershire is available from the chief executive of the Avon Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority.

Obesity

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 3 April 2003, Official Report, column 856W, on obesity, how many obese (a) adults and (b) children there (i) were in 1998 and (ii) are expected to be in 2010.

Melanie Johnson: The Health Survey for England showed that in 1998, 21 per cent. of women (approximately 5,251,570) and 17 per cent. of men (approximately 4,020,500) were obese. Figures on obese children are not available for 1998. However, analyses of the Health Survey for England 2001 showed the prevalence of obesity in 1999 was 10 per cent. (approximately 63,000) at age six rising to 17 per cent. (approximately 102,000) at age 15.
	The National Audit Office report Tackling Obesity in England, published 2001, predicted that if trends continue at the present rate until 2010, the prevalence of obesity will have increased by 47 per cent. in adults between 1998 and 2010 from 19 per cent. to 28 per cent. No projections for children are available.

Obesity

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 25 March 2003, Official Report, column 206W, on obesity, how many children aged (a) six and (b) 15 there were in 1999; and how many of those children were diagnosed as clinically obese.

Melanie Johnson: The Census Resident Population Estimates in England showed that in 1999 there were 631,558 children aged six years old and 599,843 aged 15 years old. The Health Survey for England 2001 showed that of these 10 per cent. (approximately 63,000) of six year olds and 17 per cent. (approximately 102,000) of 15 year olds were clinically obese.

Personal Care

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what working definition of personal care is used when determining whether a patient is receiving personal care or nursing care, in order to determine eligibility for funding that care.

Stephen Ladyman: No definition of personal care is used in determining eligibility for funding care. Where a person's primary need is a health need, then the National Health Service is responsible for all their care. The NHS is also responsible for nursing care in any setting. This is defined, in section 49 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001, as services provided by a registered nurse and involving either the provision of care or the planning, supervision or delegation of the provision of care, other than any services which, having regard to their nature and the circumstances in which they are provided, do not need to be provided by a registered nurse. Where a person needs care other than services for which the NHS is responsible, those services can be provided by a local authority on a means tested basis.
	The Royal Commission on Long Term Care defined personal care as care of an intimate nature, including help with toileting and other personal needs such as bathing, dressing and undressing, and with feeding. This definition is not used in determining eligibility for funding care. Where a person's needs are primarily and substantially for health care then all their care is funded by the NHS. The NHS also funds nursing care in any setting, this is nursing care as defined by section 49 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 as services provided by a registered nurse and involving either the provision of care or the planning, supervision or delegation of the provision of care, other than any services which, having regard to their nature and the circumstances in which they are provided, do not need to be provided by a registered nurse. Where a person needs care other than that provided by the NHS this can be provided by a local authority on a means tested basis.

Pharmacies

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take lead responsibility for the Government response to the Office of Fair Trading report on pharmacy contract limitation.

Rosie Winterton: The Government intends to come forward with proposals in response to the Office of Fair Trading's study on retail pharmacies before the summer recess. The Department of Health is working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry, which is co-ordinating that response.

Prescription Charging

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the system of prescription charging; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: We have no plans to review the prescription charging arrangements.

Radiotherapy

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the ratio of linear accelerators to catchment area population is in each hospital trust area operating such equipment in England.

Melanie Johnson: the number of radiotherapy centre treatment machines (linacs) serving catchment populations is published at www.canceruk.net/reports/rtsurvey2002/index.htm.
	This information was derived from a survey of radiotherapy departments carried out in June 2002 by the National Cancer Services Analysis Team under the direction of the Royal College of Radiologists.
	Three major initiatives are on-going in the provision of radiotherapy treatment machines which are leading to an increase in the numbers of such machines in clinical use.

Sunset Clauses

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to include a sunset clause in all new legislation promoted by his Department unless a specific case can be made to exclude a sunset clause.

John Hutton: The Department actively promotes the better regulation agenda. Measures to improve regulation that are considered during policy development include sunset clauses and time limiting of regulations.

Work-related Stress

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services are available to NHS staff suffering from work-related stress; what plans there are to advise trusts to operate fast track referral systems for such staff; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The Department's long term plans for reducing organisational stress in the National Health Service are based around the improving working lives (IWL) programme. This covers a range of issues, including the provision of childcare, flexible working, improvements to work/life balance as well as ensuring the provision of counselling services for all staff.
	The National Audit Office report, A Safer Place to Work: Improving the Management of health safety risks to staff in NHS Trusts, reported that 68 per cent. of NHS trusts already operate some form of fast tracking for staff. This is to ensure the earliest possible treatment for staff injured at work to facilitate their quick return to duty and maximise staff resources.
	The Department will be producing new guidance in the autumn of 2003, which will draw further attention to the use of quicker access services for those who aren't already implementing such systems.

Waiting Lists/Times

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for an out-patient appointment was in each strategic health authority in England in each year since 1998.

John Hutton: The information requested for 199899 to 200203 has been placed in the Library. The tables show the estimated median waiting time, in weeks, for first outpatient appointments following written referral by general practitioner from 199899 to 200203. Over this period the number of people waiting over 26 weeks for their first outpatient appointment fell from 144,200 at end March 1999 to 17 at end March 2003.

Waiting Lists/Times

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets have been set on the maximum length of time patients should wait for their complaints to be resolved; and what the performance against these targets was in the last year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: Guidance issued by the Department in the document, ComplaintsListening Acting Improving, recommends various time limits for the handling of complaints. A list of these is shown in the table. These are for guidance only; there is no specific maximum length of time prescribed.
	In 200203, the last year for which figures are available, the performance target for local resolution of written complaints by trusts and health authorities was achieved in 62.9 per cent. of cases. Similarly, in 200203, the performance target for independent review panels to manage requests for independent review was achieved in 19.3 per cent. of cases.
	
		Recommended time limits for resolving Complaints in the NHS
		
			 Event Time recommended 
		
		
			 Local Resolution  
			 Oral complaint Dealt with on the spot or referred 
			 Acknowledgement Two working days of receipt, or full reply within five working days 
			 Full response by trust/health authority, or family health service practitioner 20 working days of receipt, or 10 working days for practice-based complaints, with extended period if health authority becomes involved 
			  Independent Review for trust/health authority complaints 
			 Acknowledgement by convener of request for Independent Review Two working days of receipt 
			 Decision by convener to set up panel, or not 20 working days of receipt of request 
			 Appointment of panel members 20 working days of decision by convener to establish a panel 
			 Draft report of panel 50 working days of formal appointment of panel and assessors 
			 Final report of panel 10 further working days 
			 Response to complainant by trust/health authority 20 working days of receipt of panel's report 
			  Independent Review for family health services practitioner complaints 
			 Acknowledgement by convener of request for Independent Review Two working days of receipt 
			 Decision by convener to set up panel, or not 10 working days of receipt of request 
			 Appointment of panel members 10 working days of decision by convener to establish a panel 
			 Draft report of panel 30 working days of formal appointment of panel and assessors 
			 Final report of panel 10 further working days 
			 Final report sent to complainant by chief executive of health authority Five working days of receipt of panel's report

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Commission for Architecture andthe Built Environment

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on (a) the performance-related targets her Department has set for the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and (b) the performance against those targets for the most recent year for which data are available.

Richard Caborn: CABE's performance-related targets for the current year 200304 are set out in CABE's Corporate Strategy, a summary of which will shortly be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	I will write to the hon. Member with details of performance against target for the most recent period for which such data are available, namely, 200102.
	This date will be updated in CABE's Annual Report 200203. This is due to be published by the end of July 2003 and copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Community Fund

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the Community Fund on funding for village halls.

Estelle Morris: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with the Community Fund on funding for village halls. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs, who has lead policy responsibility for village halls, is chairing a group looking at the issues that currently face village halls. Officials from this Department, as well as representatives from the Community Fund sit on the group along with other external stakeholders. The group first met in February 2003 and plan to meet again in July.

Departmental Ministers

John Horam: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Ministers there were in her Department in each year since 1996.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) on 24 June 2003, Official Report, column 661W.

Football Clubs

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of financial pressures on small football clubs which receive funding from her Department and its agencies.

Richard Caborn: The Government do not subsidise the sporting or business activities of professional football clubs from public funds, either directly or through its agencies. Public funding to football is channelled through the Football Foundation, and is used for grassroots development, community and education projects, and essential stadium safety work. The Government agreed to the Foundation making a 20 million grant to Football League clubs last November, on the conditions that it was made entirely from the contributions of the Football Association and the FA Premier League, and that the Foundation's funding activities in other areas would not be adversely affected.
	The Government are encouraging local communities to come to the assistance of struggling football clubs through the work of Supporters Direct. Supporters Direct is wholly funded from public sources under the Reduction in Pool Betting Duty.

Lottery

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much revenue was raised by the Lottery in each year since 1994; and what proportion of revenue for each year was allocated to sport and sport-related activities.

Estelle Morris: The information requested is shown in the table.
	The figures shown for income include both that from the operator and from investments.
	
		
			  Total (000) Proportion to sport (000) 
		
		
			 200203 1,590,472 258,326 
			 200102 1,842,233 301,556 
			 200001 1,772,839 298,411 
			 19992000 1,766,394 273,171 
			 199899 1,918,906 306,710 
			 199798 1,952,219 368,154 
			 199697 1,587,759 313,946 
			 199596 1,535,966 302,392 
			 199495 298,580 58,517 
		
	
	The figures for 2002/03 have not yet been subjected to final audit.

Lottery

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many lottery tickets were sold in Southend West in each of the last two years.

Estelle Morris: Information about National Lottery ticket sales is not collected by constituency, but the National Lottery Commission is able to provide information about sales broken down by postcode area. In response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Morley and Rothwell (Mr. Challen) on 22 October 2002, Official Report, columns 18283, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Sport placed in the Library a table provided by Camelot plc listing sales by postcode area since the Lottery's launch. I refer the hon. Member to that table.

Sporting Facilities

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures are in place to identify (a) existing sporting facilities and (b) need by locality in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Development of community sports facilities is a key element in achieving the Government's objectives on health and increased participation in physical activity. DCMS recognises the need to identify existing sporting facilities in the UK and the demand for those facilities in each locality.
	To facilitate this, the Government are in the process of establishing a database of sports facilities. The database will assist local authorities in planning for the future needs of their communities in terms of sport and leisure provision and will help to target and inform the substantial investment the Government are making in sport and recreation facilities.
	Sport England is currently putting the project out to tender.

Sports Funding

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support she makes available for (a) community football and (b) other sports-related activities; what Government funding such schemes will receive in each Government Office region in 200304; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Lottery sports fund has made awards totalling over 1.5 billion for community sport projects since 1995, including 83,879,701 for community football. Funding is dependent on Lottery income and is not allocated against Government Office Regions. Applications are assessed on their merits as they are received
	The Football Foundation funds community football schemes as part of its work in the development of grass roots football. In addition to substantial contributions from the FA and the Premier League, the Foundation will receive a minimum of 62 million in public funding over the period 200004, from Sport England, the New Opportunities Fund and the Reduction in Pool Betting Duty. The level of public funding to the Foundation for 200304 will depend on the level of Pool Betting Duty receipts, but is expected to total 17 million. This is not allocated by reference to Government Office regions.
	In addition to the The New Opportunities Fund's contribution to the football foundation the New Opportunities PE and Sport Programme will provide 581 million in England for school sports facilities, including a 25 million contribution to the Space for Sports and the Arts scheme. Some facilities will include community football. Provisional funding has been allocated to each Local Education Authority area and awards will be made once NOF staff have assessed individual applications. A regional breakdown of the provisional allocation is as follows:
	
		 million
		
			 Region Totals 
		
		
			 Eastern 38  
			 East Midlands 39.8  
			 London 81.3 
			 North East 37.9 
			 North West 89.4 
			 South East 51.8 
			 South West 35.6 
			 West Midlands 61.3 
			 Yorkshire 60.1 
			 Total 495.3 
		
	
	The Space for Sport and the Arts programme will support the development of quality spaces and facilities for sports and arts activities in primary schools for school and community use. The programme covers a variety of sports activities, including community football. Between October 2001March 2004 the regional allocations set out in the following table have been made:
	
		
			 Region Allocation () 
		
		
			 East 7,750,000 
			 South East 10,150,000 
			 East Midlands 14,000,000 
			 South West 9,525,000 
			 West Midlands 11,000,000 
			 London 18,750,000 
			 Yorkshire 15,450,000 
			 North East 21,550,000 
			 North West 23,025,000 
			 Total 131,200,000 
		
	
	Exchequer spending through Sport England in 200304 is planned to be 49.8 million. Within this total, spending on community football or by region cannot be separately identified.

Sportsearch

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Sportsearch programme in identifying ways to increase the amount of time children spend on sporting activities; and for what reasons funding for Sportsearch has ended.

Richard Caborn: Sportsearch is being developed by Sport England. Independent evaluation shows that the programme can help young people to discover what sports they might be good at and that it is well regarded by those who have used it. Sport England is currently considering Sportsearch's future within the wider context of its modernization programme.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Afghan Refugees

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 9 June 2003, Official Report, columns 65960W, on Afghan refugees, when he intends to remove the remaining people.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 26 June 2003
	There was regrettably a typographical error in the answer of 9 June which significantly changed its intended meaning. The position is that action will be taken to remove the remaining people as soon as it is clear that there is no legal or other barrier to their removal.
	The Official Report will be corrected to reflect this. I wrote to the hon. Member on 18 June 2003 apologising for the confusion which this has caused.

Anti-social Behaviour Bill

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish a draft Code of Practice relating to the proposed use of the powers to disperse groups of people in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 23 June 2003
	The Government will issue a draft Code of Practice on the powers to disperse groups as far as is practicable, during the course of, and to assist with, Parliament's consideration of the Bill. The Government intend to consult widely in drawing up this Code of Practice in order to give officers the best possible guidance and advice on using these powers.

Anti-social Behaviour Bill

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish additional guidance to accompany the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 23 June 2003
	The Government intend to issue draft guidance notes on the powers contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, as far as is practicable, during the course of Parliament's consideration of the Bill.

Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether special measures have been put in place to ensure the safety and security of those involved in appeal hearings before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in respect of those prisoners detained under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	Following consultation with the City of London Police and the Security Services a number of new measures have been implemented to ensure the safety and security of those involved in appeal hearings before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. However, for reasons of security we would not wish to make public any specific details of the additional measures put into place.

Anti-social Behaviour Orders

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued in North Yorkshire in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002.

Hazel Blears: Information held centrally up to 31 May 2000 is for the number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued within England and Wales by police force area only. From 1 June 2000 official statistics on the number of ASBOs issued and refused within England and Wales are based on quarterly returns from Magistrates Courts Committees (MCCs).
	Information is given in the table on the number of notifications, as reported to the Home Office, of ASBOs issued in North Yorkshire from 1 April 1999 up to 30 November 2002 (latest available).
	We are aware that the numbers of ASBOs made nationally have been consistently under reported in returns made by magistrates courts and are considering how reporting can be improved.
	
		The number of notifications, as reported to the Home Office, of ASBOs issued in North Yorkshire,from 1 April 1999 to 30 November 2002
		
			  
		
		
			  
			 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000(5) 4 
			 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2000 0 
			 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001 7 
			 1 January 2002 to 30 November 2002(6) 0 
			 Total 11 
		
	
	(5) Data available by police force area only
	(6) Latest available. Following implementation of the Police Reform Act (2 December 2002), data for December 2002 will be incorporated into the first quarter 2003 data.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress made in securing planning permission for each of the planned asylum accommodation centres.

Beverley Hughes: Planning inquiries for the sites identified at DSDC Bicester and the former RAF Newton concluded on 3 March and 2 May 2003 respectively. We await decisions on these sites from my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister (John Prescott).

Asylum Seekers

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many asylum claims from claimants living in the Redcar constituency have been refused since May 2002; and in how many cases deportation is pending;
	(2)  how many asylum refusals (a) in Redcar and (b) in England have resulted in deportations since May 2002.

Beverley Hughes: Information on the numbers of refusals at initial decision, cases for which deportation is pending and removals relating to persons living in particular areas of the UK is not available. Deportations are a specific subset of removals alongside persons subject to administrative removal, removal due to illegal entry action or those refused entry at port and subsequently removed. The requested information, for cases where the information is available, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

Asylum Seekers

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases of asylum refusals (a) in Redcar and (b) in England no further action has been taken but all benefits to the asylum seeker have been stopped since May 2002.

Beverley Hughes: Information on initial decision and appeal outcomes relating to persons in particular areas of the UK is currently unavailable.
	Information on the number of applications for the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) support and the numbers of asylum seekers currently being supported by NASS can be found on the web site http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Burglary (Health Impact)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's research report on the impact of burglary on the health of older people in sheltered accommodation.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 30 June 2003
	We are publishing a report, entitled Experiences of older burglary victims, on the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website, together with a related report, Distraction burglary among older adults and minority ethnic communities. Copies will be placed in the Library.
	The recommendations from the two studies cover three main areas: raising awareness of the crime of distraction burglary and how to prevent it, among both older people and professionals working with them; reducing vulnerability; and reducing the impact once a crime has occurred. They are highly relevant to practitioners and voluntary groups working with older burglary victims and vulnerable groups, and officials will be discussing them with a range of interested organisations, including Help the Aged and Age Concern, through the Home Office Distraction Burglary Task Force.

Cannabis

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the reclassification of cannabis will be completed; and why this measure will not be introduced in July.

Caroline Flint: Subject to Parliamentary approval, cannabis will be reclassified to Class C under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as soon as some related provisions in the Criminal Justice Bill currently before Parliament are brought into force. The related provisions introduce a power of arrest for the possession of Class C drugs and increase the penalties for trafficking Class C drugs. It is not expected that the Bill will receive the Royal Assent before the autumn, and the reclassification of cannabis will take effect as soon as practicable thereafter.

Closed Circuit Television

Mohammad Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's assessment is of the impact of closed circuit television cameras on crime.

Hazel Blears: Police operational experience and various other research studies show that CCTV has considerable crime reduction and detection potential, particularly when used as part of a wider strategy.
	To help ensure maximum impact and sustainability of CCTV, a 1.5 million Home Office funded national evaluation programme is being carried out by the Scarman Centre, University of Leicester, on 15 approved CCTV Initiative schemes.
	The final evaluation report will not be published until 2004, but interim reports will be available before then. The firstproviding guidance for practitioners on implementation of CCTV schemesis available on the crime reduction website, www.crimereduction.gov.uk.
	Early findings from a number of Home Office funded schemes are very encouraging:
	Alhambra Shopping Centre, Barnsley:
	Retail property crime dropped by 35 per cent. in the first two years after launch in 1999.
	Firthmoor Estate, Darlington:
	Statistics from the police show that crime was reduced by 44 per cent. during the first year that CCTV was in operation.

Criminal Records Bureau

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the categories of applications from Essex for search by the Criminal Records Bureau in respect of (a) foster care and adoption, (b) teaching staff and (c) schools non-teaching staff.

Paul Goggins: The information sought by the hon. Member is not available in the format requested. There are no IT procedures at present to differentiate between the categories of applicants within the occupations requested. There is no requirement to provide data on an occupation-specific basis, as each application is treated equally, and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) do not prioritise by occupation type.

Drugs Seizures

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much illegal drugs were seized by the police during the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what the cost was of such operations.

Caroline Flint: It is not possible to separate out the cost of seizing illegal drugs from police expenditure data available centrally.
	Numbers of drug seizures and quantities seized by police in the United Kingdom during 2001are shown in the table. The data are taken from Home Office Findings 202 Seizures of drugs in the UK 2001. This is available on the RDS website, http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/r202.pdf, and in the Library.
	
		Number of drug seizures and quantity seized by police in the United Kingdom during 2001, by class and drug type.
		
			 Drug class and type Number of seizures Quantity (kg) 
		
		
			 Class A   
			 Cocaine 5,470 1,024.5 
			 Crack 3,645 33.7 
			 Heroin 18,075 2,801.6 
			 LSD 166 9.41 
			 Ecstasy-type 10,322 2,349.61 
			 Methadone 1,067 114.6 
			 All Class A 36,083 -3 
			
			 Class B   
			 Amphetamines 6,725 1,089.1 
			 Cannabis (herbal) 29,974 7,243.1 
			 Cannabis plants 1,874 71,491.2 
			 Cannabis resin 62,873 22,518.3 
			 All Class B 95,471 -3 
			   
			 Class C   
			 Benzodiazepines (exc. Temazepan) 1,664 10.2 
			 Temazepan 443 1.1 
			 Anabolic steroids 93 1.3 
			 All Class C 2,180 -3 
			 Total seizures 125,912 -3 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Thousands of doses/tablets.
	2. Number of plants.
	3. It is not meaningful to calculate total drug weights, as measures other than kilograms are used for quantities of LSD, Ecstasy-type drugs and Cannabis plants (see notes 1,2).
	Source:
	Home Office Findings 202 Seizures of drugs in the UK 2001

Fingerprint Identification System

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Livescan terminals used to access the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System are deployed, broken down by police authority.

Hazel Blears: A total of 176 Livescan units are deployed among police forces in England and Wales. Broken down by police authority, they are as follows:
	
		
			 Police authority Number of Livescan units 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 2 
			 Bedfordshire 3 
			 British Transport Police 2 
			 Cheshire 1 
			 Cumbria 4 
			 Devon and Cornwall 6 
			 Dorset 3 
			 Essex (7)1 
			 Gloucestershire 3 
			 Gwent 5 
			 Hampshire 8 
			 Lancashire 5 
			 Lincolnshire 1 
			 Leicestershire 1 
			 Manchester 22 
			 Merseyside 7 
			 Metropolitan police 53 
			 Northumbria 7 
			 North Wales 3 
			 Nottingham (7)1 
			 South Yorkshire (7)1 
			 South Wales 4 
			 Surrey 5 
			 Sussex 6 
			 Thames Valley 3 
			 West Mercia Worcester 1 
			 West Midlands (7)1 
			 Wiltshire 4 
			 West Yorkshire 13 
			 Livescan units in the field 176 
		
	
	(7) These units are on trial.

Graffiti

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the statutory undertakers about graffiti on their street furniture or other property; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: We recognise the real problem of graffiti on street furniture, which my hon. Friend has done much to highlight. That is why we consulted on options in this area in our 2002 document on public space, Living Places. A number of owners of street furniture responded to this consultation.The Government are considering the results of the consultation exercise and will decide what further action to take. Officials from the Home Office and Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) also met with British Telecom recently to discuss the challenges in this area.
	At report stage of the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, we also introduced new powers for local authorities to clean graffiti from street furniture.

Health Care (Prisons)

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence is collected centrally to benchmark (a) health outcomes and (b) healthcare provision in the prison population against the population at large.

Paul Goggins: The Home Office and Department of Health collect a range of performance monitoring data on health services for prisoners, covering both physical and mental health care activity. These data focus primarily on availability of and access to services, and do not at present provide a basis for benchmarking health outcomes. They are subject to ongoing refinement to facilitate more systematic comparisons with services available to the population at large.
	The Government also commissioned the Toolkit for Health Care Needs Assessment in Prisons (University of Birmingham 2000), which provides a summary of research information on the health status of people in prison, including comparisons with the wider population.

Health Care (Prisons)

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been put in place to ensure that prisoners receive prompt thrombolysis.

Paul Goggins: Prisons and their local Primary Care Trusts are working in partnership to secure the best possible health outcomes for prisoners. They will be taking full account of the review of the Coronary Heart Disease National Service Framework thrombolysis targets to ensure that prisoners who suffer heart attacks are treated as promptly as possible.

Internet Paedophile Offences

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) other law enforcement personnel are employed on a full-time basis to investigate online paedophile offences.

Paul Goggins: Investigations which are believed to involve paedophile activity or images, whether committed on or off line, are normally investigated by paedophile units, child protection or investigation teams. The allocation of officers to these units is a matter for individual chief officers, and information as to the staffing of these units is not held centrally.

Jamaicans (Visitor Visas)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Jamaicans were (a) given and (b) refused visitor visas to the United Kingdom in (i) the last month for which figures are available and (ii) the same month in 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I am afraid the information requested on grants and refusals of visitor visas to Jamaican nationals is not available.
	Visitor visas for Jamaican nationals were not issued until January 2003 when the visa regime was introduced. Prior to that, however, some Jamaican nationals chose to apply for entry clearance for temporary purposes to aid passage through the immigration control.
	The published information relates to grants and refusals of entry clearance for temporary purposes, which includes visitors and others seeking temporary admission to the UK. The latest published information on grants and refusals of entry clearance (including visas), for settlement and temporary purposes, relates to 2000. Data for 2001 and 2002 will be published in November 2003 in the Home Office publication, Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2002, which will be available in the Library.
	Decisions made on applications for entry clearance are recorded according to where the application is made rather than by the nationality of the applicant. The published information therefore relates to the number of applications made in Jamaica. It is not possible to identify separately Jamaican nationals applying for entry clearance, either in Jamaica or elsewhere in the world.

Mr. Rustam Artskanov

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will intervene in the case of Mr. Rustam Artskanov, a constituent, to enable him to remain living in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I am not aware of any factors at present that would justify allowing Mr. Artskanov to remain in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Rustam Artskanov

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with President Putin the case of Mr. Rustam Artskanov and seek a guarantee of his safe passage to his home in Chechnya.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 30 June 2003
	We will not be raising Mr. Artskanov's case with President Putin.

Passports

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 5 June 2003, Official Report, column 946W, on passports, how may special file section staff have been employed in each regional office in each of the last five years.

Beverley Hughes: The figures for staff in post within United Kingdom Passport Service Special Files Departments in each of the last five years are given in the table:
	
		UK passport service special file section staff
		
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Belfast 3 3 3 3 3 
			 Durham(8) n/a n/a 6 6.5 10.5 
			 Glasgow 5.25 5.5 5.5 6 6.5 
			 Liverpool 7 8 9 9 10 
			 London 8 8 10 15 16 
			 Newport 7 7 6.5 7.5 8 
			 Peterborough 3 3.48 5.02 6.02 12.65 
		
	
	(8) The Durham Passport Office opened in April 2000

Police Discipline

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change the police disciplinary regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: We are reviewing the two existing sets of misconduct regulationsset out in the Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999 and the Police (Conduct) (Senior Officers) Regulations 1999, in order to remove unnecessary differences between them.
	In addition, we will be introducing changes to the regulations provided for in section 36 of the Police Reform Act 2002. In summary these will:
	(a) enable the Independent Police Complaints Commission to participate in disciplinary proceedings;
	(b) allow other persons to participate in, or be present at, disciplinary proceedings; and
	(c) change the current caution in order to permit a disciplinary hearing to draw adverse inferences from a police officer's failure to mention a fact when questioned about an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct.

Police Firearms Training

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers completed firearms training in each police force area in each of the last three years.

Hazel Blears: Training in use of firearms takes place in individual force training establishments. Each officer receives regular training dependent on their role, in order to maintain authority from their force to carry weapons.
	No figures are held centrally about numbers of officers who undergo such training.
	However, the following table gives the numbers of authorised firearms officers in each force, during the last three years for which figures are available, all of whom undergo training more frequently than annually.
	
		Number of authorised firearms officers (AFOs)
		
			  19992000 200001 200102 
		
		
			 Total 6,262 6,064 5,776 
			 Avon and Somerset 150 135 116 
			 Bedfordshire 46 45 48 
			 Cambridgeshire 77 73 56 
			 Cheshire 75 74 81 
			 Cleveland 80 75 85 
			 City of London 73 74 73 
			 Cumbria 98 94 92 
			 Derbyshire 77 81 80 
			 Devon and Cornwall 119 100 108 
			 Dorset 66 67 57 
			 Durham 101 101 86 
			 Essex 228 195 180 
			 Gloucestershire 77 72 71 
			 Greater Manchester 218 240 219 
			 Hampshire 111 100 87 
			 Hertfordshire 52 44 46 
			 Humberside 97 102 96 
			 Kent 136 136 113 
			 Lancashire 143 132 138 
			 Leicestershire 90 85 69 
			 Lincolnshire 78 80 91 
			 Merseyside 96 103 78 
			 Metropolitan 1,977 1,940 1,805 
			 Norfolk 110 114 104 
			 Northamptonshire 75 77 51 
			 Northumbria 114 109 125 
			 North Yorkshire 59 66 66 
			 Nottinghamshire 116 137 136 
			 South Yorkshire 100 98 92 
			 Staffordshire 81 67 71 
			 Suffolk 98 90 90 
			 Surrey 71 72 62 
			 Sussex 131 118 120 
			 Thames Valley 187 185 156 
			 Warwickshire 54 45 50 
			 West Mercia 129 130 125 
			 West Midlands 93 83 111 
			 West Yorkshire 110 117 116 
			 Wiltshire 89 71 71 
			 Dyfed Powys 65 61 77 
			 Gwent 68 66 57 
			 North Wales 92 67 83 
			 South Wales 155 143 138

Power of Arrest

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the relative powers of special constables and community safety officers, with special reference to the power of arrest.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 26 June 2003
	Special constables possess full constabulary powers, including the power of arrest, while they are in their own, or an adjacent, police force.
	Community Support Officers (CSOs) have not been given powers of arrest beyond those available to ordinary citizens. In the Police Reform Act 2002 CSOs have been given a power to detain a person who is suspected of a relevant offence, and who has not supplied a satisfactory name and address, for up to 30 minutes while awaiting the arrival of a police constable. A relevant offence is:
	a fixed penalty notice offence of littering, dog fouling, or cycling on the footway or
	an offence that appears to have caused harassment, alarm or distress to another or
	an offence that involves loss of or damage to another's property.
	This power of detention is being piloted by six police forces for two years until December 2004.

Power of Arrest

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the powers available to community safety officers.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 26 June 2003
	Subject to parliamentary approval the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill will extend the following powers to community support officers (CSOs):
	The power to disperse groups
	The power to issue a fixed penalty notice for graffiti and fly-posting.
	The power to issue a fixed penalty notice to parents for truancy.
	The power to stop cyclists in order to issue a fixed penalty notice for cycling on a footpath.

Prison Incidents

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have (a) escaped and (b) absconded from prisons in England and Wales in each of the last 12 months.

Paul Goggins: The Public Service Agreement target for escapes was published in 'Public Services for the future: Modernisation, Reform, Accountability'.
	The target was to maintain existing performance of no escapes by high risk (category A) prisoners and to ensure that the number of escapes from prisons, and escorts undertaken by Prison Service staff, expressed as a proportion of the prison population, is lower than 0.05 per cent.
	The Prison Service met this target for 200203. There were five escapes from prisons and no category A escapes in 200203.
	The table illustrates the number of escapes from prison and absconds broken down by month in the last 12 months.
	
		
			 Month Escape from prison Number of absconds 
		
		
			 May 2002 0 51 
			 June 2002 1 68 
			 July 2002 1 81 
			 August 2002 0 93 
			 September 2002 0 83 
			 October 2002 0 88 
			 November 2002 2 76 
			 December 2002 0 87 
			 January 2003 0 68 
			 February 2003 1 90 
			 March 2003 0 101 
			 April 2003 0 115 
			 Total 5 1,001 
		
	
	Note:
	The Prison Service definition of an abscond is when a prisoner leaves an open/Category D establishment where there is no physical barrier between them and freedom.

RAF Fairford

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the costs of policing operations at RAF Fairford between 1 March and 30 April 2003 were.

Hazel Blears: The Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police Authority informs me that the best estimate available of the costs of policing operations conducted by the constabulary to date is 3.26 million. Information for the specific period requested is not available.
	The additional costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence Police at Fairford in March and April 2003 are estimated at 3.79 million.

RAF Fairford

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested in connection with protests at RAF Fairford between 1 March 2003 and 30 April 2003; and how many of those arrested were subsequently charged with criminal offences.

Adam Ingram: The total number of arrests by Ministry of Defence Police and Home Department Police officers between 1 March 2003 and 30 April 2003 at RAF Fairford was 61. Of those persons arrested, 27 were subsequently charged with criminal offences and two are on police bail until September 2003.

Road Safety

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department has issued to the police on their role in (a) education about and (b) enforcement of standards of road use.[R]

Hazel Blears: The National Policing Plan indicates that all police forces and authorities should include in their local policing plans targeted and intelligence led strategies for reducing deaths and injuries on the roads and achieving a safe environment for all road users.
	The police are also involved in various localised road safety educational initiatives across the country. The Department for Transport (DfT), which is primarily responsible for road safety education, makes available to police forces its campaigns calendar so that they are aware of the timing of national advertising and can co-ordinate their own activities accordingly. DfT also makes available to the police a range of materials for use in educational initiatives on road safety.
	The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has recently published a road policing manifesto (available at www.acpo.police.uk) with four key aims of enforcing the law, promoting road safety, investigating incidents and patrolling the roads.

Suffolk Constabulary

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the clear up rate for the Suffolk constabulary was for (a) burglary of dwellings, (b) violence against the person, (c) vehicle crime, (d) robbery and (e) sexual offences since March 2002.

Hazel Blears: The requested information is not yet available. It will be published on 17 July 2003 in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Crime in England and Wales 200203

Trespassers

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he issues on the definition of reasonable force in the powers available to people in removing trespassers from their property.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office has recently updated Be Safe, Be Secure, a practical guide to crime prevention. This covers all aspects of personal safety at home, including how to deal with intruders and what to do on interrupting burglars. One page covers the law on self-defence, which makes clear the principles underlying what you can properly do in self-defence or to protect another person or your property.

Voluntary Organisations (Criminal Records)

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the additional costs to voluntary organisations (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in Suffolk of the Criminal Records Bureau's increase in standard and enhanced disclosure fees.

Paul Goggins: I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 26 June 2003, Official Report, column 918W.

Woodhill Prison

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the agreed staffing levels are at Woodhill Prison in the Close Security Unit; how many staff vacancies there are; and how many staff are normally on duty overnight in the Close Security Unit.

Paul Goggins: Woodhill prison has a close supervision centre. The agreed staffing level of the close supervision centre is 10 senior officers and 46 officers. On 16 June 2003, there were six officer vacancies. During the night, two officers are on duty. If necessary those officers on night duty are able to call for assistance.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Court Cases (Postponements)

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many court cases which have been set down for trial have been postponed because they have not been prepared properly by the Crown Prosecution Service in each year since 1997.

Harriet Harman: The question has been transferred to me as I have responsibility for the Crown Prosecution Service.
	The Crown Prosecution Service is party to a joint scheme, with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, to monitor the levels of cracked, ineffective and vacated trials in magistrates courts. The scheme, jointly developed between the two departments, was implemented in all 42 criminal justice system (CIS) Areas in April 2002. The scheme enables court, prosecution and defence practitioners to agree reasons why cases listed for trial are vacated or do not proceed as planned on the day. The data on the agreed reasons is analysed locally, under the stewardship of the Local Criminal Justice Board, so that strategies can be developed to reduce the instances of trials not proceeding.
	The results of monitoring for the first three-quarters 200203 in respect of cases listed for trial but vacated before the trial date because the prosecution were not ready for trial (further preparation needed) is:
	
		
			 Magistrates courts data April to June 2002 July to September 2002 October to December 2002 
		
		
			 (a) Total number of trials listed 45,431 46,179 45,608 
			   
			 (b) Number of trials vacated before the trial date 4,697 5,476 4,893 
			 
			 (c) Number of trials vacated before the hearing date because the prosecution were not ready for trial 305 392 338 
			 
			 (d) Trials vacated before the hearing date because the prosecution were not ready for trial as percentage of total trials listed 0.67 0.85 0.74 
		
	
	There is no similar joint scheme presently in existence across Crown court centres. Work is presently being undertaken between the Crown Prosecution Service and Department of Constitutional Affairs to develop a common scheme for implementation later this year. Pilot schemes have been undertaken in Dorset, Surrey and London since March 2003 with promising results.

Government Reshuffle

John Redwood: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the address is of the London office of (a) the Wales office, (b) the Scotland office and (c) the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Christopher Leslie: The Wales Office continues to occupy Gwydyr House, Whitehall SW1A 2ER. The Scotland Office continues to occupy Dover House, Whitehall SW1A 2AU. The Department for Constitutional Affairs has its principal headquarters buildings at Selbourne House, 5660 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QW and Southside, 105 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QT.

Hearing Difficulties (Courthouses)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the provisions for those with hearing difficulties in courthouses in Northern Ireland.

Christopher Leslie: The Northern Ireland Court Service is complying with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. In support of this, the Court Service commissioned an independent Survey Report of the court estate and has developed a programme of work that includes the provision of induction loop systems throughout the court estate. Currently, induction loop systems have been installed in the principal courtrooms at 13 locations with similar facilities scheduled for installation at the seven remaining court venues by 1 October 2003. All new court buildings are fitted with induction loop systems as standard. The Northern Ireland Court Service also arranges for the provision of interpreters for deaf and hearing impaired litigants and witnesses in all court proceedings.

Immigration Appeal Tribunal

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to his answer of 18 June 2003, Official Report, column 274W, on the Immigration Appeal Tribunal, how many (a) groups, (b) individuals and (c) organisations have been consulted on his proposals; when he last met the Chief Adjudicator to discuss his proposals; and what representations he has received following the announcement on legislative proposals made by the Government on 22 May 2003.

David Lammy: As stated in my reply of 18 June 2003, Official Report, column 274W, we are currently developing detailed proposals for the creation of a single tier. Before finalising these proposals, I will take steps to seek the views of interested parties. As for representations received since the Government's announcement on 22 May 2003, the Chairman of the Select Committee on the Lord Chancellor's Department wrote to the Secretary of State on 20 June 2003 in connection with the handling of the announcement.

Judicial Appointments Commission

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what research the Department has commissioned on the creation of a Judicial Appointments Committee.

Christopher Leslie: The Department for Constitutional Affairs commissioned and received research on the use of Judicial Appointments Commissions in foreign jurisdictions. This research was published under the title Judicial Appointments Commissions: the European and North American experiences and the possible implications for the United Kingdom [Drs. Thomas and Malleson, LCD Research Series 06/97]. A copy is in the House of Commons Library.

National Assembly for Wales

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  on what dates his Department has held meetings with the Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales;
	(2)  if he will give evidence to the Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales.

Peter Hain: I am replying. As Secretary of State for Wales, I have lead responsibility for the Government's dealings with the Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales. In that capacity I submitted a memorandum to the Commission on behalf of the government and gave oral evidence to it on 13 March 2003.

Works of Art

Pete Wishart: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the works of art held on loan by the Lord Chancellor's Department on Wednesday 11 June by value; and if he will make a statement on his plans for the acquisition of further such works by his Department.

David Lammy: There were no works of art on loan to the Lord Chancellor's Department (as it was) on 11 June, and this remains the position.
	Forty-one works of art on loan to the Palace of Westminster are located within the Official Residence of the Lord Chancellor, as the Speaker of the House of Lords, and the offices currently occupied by the Department for Constitutional Affairs within the Palace of Westminster. The value, and the arrangements for the loan of these works, is a matter for the Palace of Westminster authorities who deal exclusively with the loan of works of art within the Palace.
	The Department currently has no plans for the acquisition of such works.

WALES

Asbestos

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what actions his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are taking to comply with the requirements of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002; whether he has made an estimate of the cost of the compliance; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office arranged for a complete asbestos survey in 2002 subsequently, all the recommendations of the survey have been undertaken. Therefore the Wales Office is compliant with the 2002 regulations.
	The Wales Office does not have any agencies or non-departmental public bodies.
	The cost to the office is approximately 1,300.

Departmental Website

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the actions he (a) has taken and (b) is taking to ensure that the websites of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are accessible to partially sighted and blind people; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: The Wales Office website as it currently stands is not accessible to partially sighted and blind people; however, a redesign of the site is forthcoming and among the changes planned will be provision for all potential users.

Euro Roadshow

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the events he plans to attend as part of the Government's euro roadshow.

Don Touhig: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the Member for Folkestone  Hythe on 20 June 2003, Official Report, column 459W, by my hon. Friend John Healey (Economic Secretary) HM Treasury.

Leisure and Tourism Industries

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on the future of the leisure and tourism industries in Wales.

Peter Hain: I have regular bi-lateral meetings with the First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales, and discuss a wide range of issues, including the leisure and tourism industries.
	There are encouraging signs for the future of leisure and tourism in Wales. I welcome the recent announcement that 103 beaches throughout Wales have won Seaside Awards in 2003, more than the English Riviera, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands put together.
	I was also encouraged by the results of research undertaken on behalf of the Wales Tourist Board (WTB) following the Easter weekend which revealed that 78 per cent. of accommodation providers were full over the Easter weekend.
	This contributes to a very positive outlook, and builds upon the WTB's largest marketing initiative to date, the 10 million three-year UK based Big Country campaign and the 5 million the WTB have committed to their first ever overseas campaigns in key markets. The campaigns were targeted to make sure that last summer Welsh tourism was a success and to build a solid foundation for the future.

Ombudsman Services

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the review of Ombudsman services in Wales; and when he will publish his response to the review;
	(2)  when he expects to publish the results of the Ombudsman services for Wales review; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: holding answer 10 June 03
	The First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales and I expect to publish the results of the review of Ombudsman services in Wales at the end of this month.

Pay Audits

Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made on completing a pay audit in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies to measure any disadvantage in terms of remuneration for (a) women, (b) ethnic minorities and (c) people with disabilities; and if he will publish the results of such an audit.

Peter Hain: Staff in the Wales Office are all on loan or secondment from other Government Departments and so are paid in accordance with the various pay schemes of their home Departments.

Staff Numbers

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff the Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which the Department is responsible had in each year since 1997; and what the cost of those staff was in each of those years.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office was created in July 1999, it has no agencies or NDPBs.
	Staffing level and running cost information is provided at pages 23 and 27 of the Wales Office Departmental Report 2003, published in May 2003 as Cm 5928.

Terrorism

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to his answer of 20 May 2003, Official Report, column 722W, on terrorism, how many mobile radiation detection units are available for deployment at Welsh ports and airports; and what counter terrorism coverage is available at Welsh ports in advance of a decision on the location of new equipment.

Don Touhig: For security reasons Customs do not provide specific details of the equipment they have available or how it is deployed.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Administration Costs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent by his Ministers on administration in each year since 1997.

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the running costs in 2002 were of (a) his Ministers' private offices, separately identifying expenditure on staff, and (b) his Department.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was established following the Machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002.
	(a) The following table shows the total administration resource and pay expenditure on Ministers' private offices.
	
		Administration resource and pay expenditure -- 000
		
			 Administration resource expenditure 200203 
		
		
			 Private office total 2,346 
			 of which Pay total 1,489 
		
	
	(b) The gross administration resource expenditure for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (including Government offices but excluding its executive agencies) for 200203 is 264 million. This figure is provisional and subject to the final accounts being signed off.

Commission for the Built Environment

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what funding the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment receives from the Department.

Richard Caborn: I have been asked to reply.
	This year (200304) the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) will receive 3.53 million grant-in-aid from DCMS. CABE will also receive up to 7.35 million from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, primarily to reflect the commitment to urban parks and green spaces made in the Government's policy document Living Places: Cleaner, Safer, Greener and the priorities set out in the Communities Plan published in February 2003: Sustainable Communities; Building for the Future.

Green Belt

Graham Brady: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to issue new planning policy guidance relating to the removal of green belt designation.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has indicated that it intends to review all planning policy guidance (PPG) notes to provide clearer expressions of national planning policy. The review of PPG2 on green belts will commence later this year but the Government have no current plans to make fundamental changes to green belt policy.

Housing

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many special needs houses there are in England, broken down by (a) Parliamentary constituency, (b) local authority area and (c) region.

Keith Hill: Information on the number of accommodation-based services and associated household units for the people with physical or sensory disability and people with learning disabilities, at December 2002, funded through the Supporting People programme by County and unitary authority area and region is available on the Supporting People Web at http:www.spkweb.org.uk under General Documents and DiscussionV General Documents December 2002 Supply data December Supply Reporting Spreadsheet-Table 4.
	Information at the parliamentary constituency level and the non-unitary local authority level is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his Answer of 20 June, Official Report, column 525W, on housing, what the timescale is for the consultation process; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The aim is as soon as possible.

Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his Answer of 20th June, Official Report, columns 52425W, on housing, if he will commission research to (a) determine the current and future demand for social housing in the South-East and (b) devise a strategy that will ensure the demand is met; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: Assessing the level of housing demand in the South East is the responsibility of the Regional Planning Body, in conjunction with the Regional Housing Board and other interested parties, and will be undertaken as part of the drafting of the next round of Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9). Wholescale reviews of RPG9 will commence later this year to produce a new Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS).
	The Regional Assembly, together with the Government Office for the South East has commissioned work to provide a regional level methodology for assessing the level of households in need in anticipation of this review. The work is ongoing, and will provide one of the factors that will feed into the assessment of housing supply and demand in the South East to support the eventual Regional Spatial Strategy. Following public consultation and independent testing draft RSS9 will then be submitted to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.
	The Sustainable Communities Plan, which was published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in February, sets out a programme of action which includes measures to address the imbalance between supply and demand in the South East and elsewhere, through increasing housing supply and making better use of existing housing stock.

Housing

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his Answer of 17 June 2003, Official Report, column 167W, if he will place in the Library a copy of the research into the health impacts of overcrowding on which policy decisions on tackling overcrowding are being based.

Keith Hill: The relevant research is reported in Statistical Evidence to Support the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in May. Two volumes of the document Volume 1: Project Report and Volume 2: Summary of Resultshave been placed in the House of Commons Library and are available, together with previous research in support of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, at www.housing.odpm.Rov.uk/research/hhsrs/index.htm . Volume 2 provides an outline of the issues associated with all the hazards to be assessed under the system, including hazards related to crowding and space, and lists the key references on which estimates of health outcomes have been made for the purposes of the system. A third volume, the technical appendix, will be published shortly.

Housing

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what data he has collected on abuses of right to buy.

Keith Hill: In 2002, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister commissioned Heriot-Watt University to examine the scale, nature and impact of the misuse of the Right to Buy policy by companies. The results were published in March 2003. The full report is available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at http://www.housing.odpm.gov.uk/information/rtb/index.htm; a summary is at http://www.housing.odpm.gov.uk/hrs/hrs177/index.htm.
	The research found that some properties sold under the Right to Buy scheme had been acquired by companies offering tenants financial help to buy their homes on condition that they resold them to the company after the three-year discount repayment period had ended ('deferred resale' arrangements). Both tenant and company thereby evade the statutory requirement, in place since 1980, to repay discount where a property is resold within three years of being sold under the Right to Buy scheme, and the companies acquire former social homes at substantially less than their market value in order to rent them out. This means that homes formerly available at subsidised social rents then command substantially higher market rents, reducing the availability of affordable housing.
	Such exploitation is prevalent in Inner London, where the report estimated that at least 2,000 properties had been acquired in this way by companies since 1998. It also noted that at least one such company was advertising nationally.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether arms length management organisations are treated in the same way as housing associations for the puposes of (a) housing benefit and (b) borrowing; and what plans he has to allow ALMOs to raise loans in their stock.

Keith Hill: Tenants of dwellings managed by Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) remain tenants of the local authority and are treated in the same way as other local authority tenants for housing benefit purposes. As announced in the Sustainable Communities Plan in February, we intend to consult further on the financial regime that should be available to the highest performing ALMOs.

Local Government

Harry Cohen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the outcome was of his Department's stocktake of Local Government Pension Scheme funds, with special reference to ongoing sustainability and affordability of the Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The Stocktake of the Local Government Pension Scheme is continuing. Consultations on two discussion papers, about the scope for simplification of the regulatory framework and future benefits package, have already taken place and the responses to each are being analysed. A third paper is being prepared to seek views on how best to develop funding strategies within the Scheme, linked closely to the actuarial valuation process that each local authority pension fund is obliged to carry out every three years. The next valuation round takes place on 31 March 2004 and this planned consultation is intended to inform that statutory exercise.
	Consideration is being given to implementing the necessary changes to the Scheme arising from the issue of Simplicity security and choice: Working and saving for retirementAction on occupational pensions (Cm 5835, June 2003). Consultations on these, and any which emerge from earlier Stocktake discussion papers, will be brought forward as soon as practicable for consideration by all the interested parties.

Planning (Lancaster)

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make an assessment of the implications of his decision to refuse planning permission for development at Whinney Car, Lancaster for planning applications for housing within the Lancaster City council district.

Keith Hill: It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the decision in respect of the planning application for proposed housing development at Whinney Carr, as the matter is sub judice. The decision has been challenged in the High Court and is the subject of legal proceedings.
	However my answer of 23 June 2003, Official Report, column 642W, set out the general position concerning the consideration of planning applications for housing in Lancaster.

Regional Government

John Redwood: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what is the estimated cost is of (a) setting up and (b) the annual running cost of a regional assembly in the north-west.

Nick Raynsford: The setting-up costs of elected assemblies will vary from region to region, mainly because of the different sizes of their electorates. But the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects these to be around 30 million in each region, including the north-west. This estimate includes all costs necessary to establish an assembly, including the cost of local government reviews, referendums and the first elections.
	The Government's estimates of the costs of running a regional assembly were set out in our White Paper Your Region, Your Choice. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister estimates that the north-west assembly would cost around 25 million a year to run. But about 5 million of this cost will be directly offset because staff will be transferring from existing bodies, such as the region's Government Office. The remaining costs could be absorbed within the assembly's programme budget through efficiency savings of around 5 per cent.

Regional Government

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which regional assemblies he has visited since May 2002.

Phil Hope: My Rt. Hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has not formally visited any of the English Regional Assembly since May 2002. However, on his regular visits to the regions he has met a number of representatives from the assemblies as have other Departmental Ministers. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister hosts the English Regions Network meetings, which bring together the leaders of the English Assemblies in one forum to discuss issues of mutual interest and aims for a ministerial presence at least twice a year. Most recently on the 5 December last year, this meeting was attended by the then Parliamentary under Secretary of State the member for Shipley.

Regional Government

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of the population entitled to vote responded to the soundings exercise to test the level of interest in holding a referendum for regional government in the north-west.

Nick Raynsford: 3,611 individuals from the north-west region responded to the soundings exercise.
	In addition, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister received 336 responses from representative organisations, many of whom had conducted wider consultation or commissioned public opinion polls to inform their response.
	We have no specific information on the proportion of respondents who are registered on the electoral register in the north-west region.

St Oswalds Park, Gloucester

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when Gloucester city council originally granted permission for the development at St. Oswalds Park, Gloucester; when he received the planning inspector's report; and when he expects to make a decision on the called-in appeal.

Keith Hill: The city council resolved to allow the development in August 2001, but were not formally able to grant permission because the application was called in for determination by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 11 June 2002. The Inspector's report was received on 25 February 2003. On 15 May 2003 my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister invited representations on the implications for the proposals of the statement made to the House on 10 April 2003, Official Report, columns 2729WS about town centre planning. The responses are being circulated before the final decision can be made, which will be in due course.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Asylum Seekers

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the facilities available in Northern Ireland for the processing of asylum applications.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	The Immigration and Nationality Directorate has 13 staff based at offices at Belfast International airport. These resources are used for various aspects of immigration control in Northern Ireland, including processing applications for asylum.
	In 2002, the Belfast office received 174 applications for asylum. No statistics exist on the numbers of these applications that were successful, or unsuccessful. Statistics only exist for the UK as a whole and no breakdown is available by region.
	In 2002, the Belfast office removed 62 failed asylum seekers from the UK.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many of the Department's staff retired on medical grounds due to mental health problems in the last year.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. Alexander) on 24 June 2003, Official Report, column 662W.